10 dead in massive landslide in northern India

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI (AA) - At least ten people died and more than 40 others were feared buried under the debris after a landslide in India’s northern state of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday, authorities said.

The incident took place on the Reckong Peo-Shimla Highway in the Kinnaur district, around 210 kilometers (130 miles) from the state capital Shimla.

According to the Indo-Tibetan Border Force (ITBP), a bus carrying passengers from Kinnaur to Haridwar as well as a few other vehicles have been buried under the debris.

Ten people have died and 14 others have been rescued from the site, an ITBP statement said.

Speaking to reporters, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said: "Some 50 to 60 people could be trapped under the debris."

"Rescue work is being carried out by teams of the Indian Army, ITBP, NDRF (National Disaster Relief Force), and police. However, sliding of stones from mountains is making their work difficult," he added.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to Thakur and assured him of all possible help, according to an official statement.

In another incident last month, nine tourists were killed after huge boulders fell on their vehicles in Kinnaur.