Himachal Pradesh Landslide: Death toll rises to 15, rescue operations underway

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• Aug 12, 2021 | moderator

Himachal Pradesh: The death toll has climbed to 15 with the recovery of more bodies in the Kinnaur landslide. The passengers of the state transport bus and the Bolero car are still missing, said official sources. The relief and the rescue work resumed at 6 am on Thursday, and so far, 15 bodies had been recovered, from the debris at the Kinnaur landslide, said the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.

The Kinnaur landslide took place near the Chaura village on national highway number five in the Nigulsari area of Nichar tehsil. An HRTC bus moving towards Haridwar via Shimla was hit moving boulders in a landslide at Kinnaur. As per reports, around 40-50 people are reportedly trapped in the rubble caused by the landslide. Some Vehicles even skidded off the road and fell into the river below, said the locals.

Out of the 15, eight persons were found trapped in a Tata Sumo taxi during the search operation on Wednesday. A fully damaged Alto car has been recovered from the incident site on Wednesday, but no occupants were found inside.

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur conducted an aerial survey of the landslide-hit area. President Ram Nath Kovind spoke to Himachal Pradesh Governor and CM Jairam Thakur over the Kinnaur landslide incident.

Meanwhile, the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Deputy Commandant, Dharmender Thakur, said, “We have located the remnants of the bus, and a body has been recovered.” The rescue operation is underway by the NDRF team, ITBP team, as well as the members of the local police, and home guards.