46 dead in Himachal landslide
TNN Bureau. Updated: 8/13/2017 10:39:23 PM
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Shimla: At least 46 people were killed after a massive landslide, triggered by a cloudburst, buried two Himachal Pradesh roadways buses, injuring several others at Kotpuri near Padhar on the Mandi Pathankot national highway on Sunday.
While 46 bodies were recovered till the last reports came in, the toll could rise further as over 50 passengers were travelling in the two ill-fated buses hit, as per the officials.
“Some other vehicles may also have been hit by the landslide,” the officials said, adding that 23 of the 46 dead have been identified.
Following the incident, two columns of the Army Teams, along with National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and the police were put into the rescue operations, assisted by heavy earth-moving machinery.
The rescue operations were suspended late evening as there were apprehensions of more landslides. The rescue work would resume tomorrow, an official said, adding that the massive landslide, covering an area of more than 250 metres, may have swept away some other vehicles also and damaged some houses.
Eight passengers were travelling in the Manali-Katra Volovo bus, of whom three lost their lives, while five were rescued and taken to the zonal hospital in Mandi whereas around 47 passengers were in the second bus which was on its way from Manali to Chamba.
The administration meanwhile has announced financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh each to the next of kin of the deceased, in addition to Rs 1 lakh by the HRTC.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed his grief over the incidents. "Pained by the loss of lives due to landslide related accidents in HP's Mandi district. My condolences with the families of the deceased," Modi tweeted, adding, “I pray for the quick recovery of those injured.”