13 Dead in Himachal Pradesh Landslide
A massive landslide in Kinnaur district on Wednesday killed 13 persons, including a child and five women.
A massive landslide occurred in Kinnaur district yesterday 11 August. It killed 13 persons, including a child and five women, and injured many others while 50 are feared buried under the debris. The tragedy struck around 12.30 pm. Several vehicles, including a Bolero and Tata Sumo, a truck and 42-seater Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus, were hit by the landslide. The incident was reported by the bus driver, who was seriously injured. The bus and at least three other vehicles were buried under the debris while the truck was hit by a boulder and plunged into the Sutlej river. The rescue teams were trying to pull them out with the help of a crane. The rescue had to be halted late in the evening as boulders were rolling down the mountainside, posing grave risk to rescuers.
Rescue operation was carried out by the police and NDRF personnel while 10 ambulances and four earth-movers were also at the spot. Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, who apprised PM Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah of the situation, said both of them had assured full support to the state. The PM announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each from the PM’s National Relief Fund to the next of kin of landslide victims while Rs 50,000 each would be given to the injured.
