Massive landslide kills 46 in northern India

By Shuriah Niazi

NEW DELHI (AA) - At least 46 people were killed and many others injured in a massive landslide which buried two government buses in northern Indian state of Himachal Pradesh on wee hours of Sunday.

The incident took place in Kotpuri on the Mandi-Pathankot national highway of the state. The landslide which is suspected to be caused by a cloudburst also swept away houses and many other vehicles including a car and a jeep besides around 250 meters stretch of Pathankot-Mandi national highway.

Deputy Commissioner of Mandi district, Sandeep Kadam, who was the first to reach the spot said, “Rescue operations is going on war footing. We have recovered 46 bodies so far. We are making every effort to provide best possible medical treatment to those injured.”

The toll may rise further as many have been trapped under the debris.

According to Shillong Times, two buses of Himachal Pradesh Transport Corporation (HRTC) stopped for a tea break when suddenly a huge landslide from the hill side came rolling down. While one bus rolled a few feet down and got stuck somewhere midway, the debris swept away the second bus over 900 meters down the gorge.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh rushed to the spot from capital Shimla and inspected the rescue operations.

The state government has also announced financial assistance of US$ 8,000 to the next of kin of the deceased.