INDIA. Himachal Pradesh: Ten people were killed and over 40 others are reportedly stuck under the debris after a landslide trapped a bus and other vehicles in Kinnaur district, Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday.
In an open statement, State Disaster Management Director Sudesh Kumar Mokhta said, “At least 10 persons were pulled out of the rubble in an injured condition during the initial hours of the rescue operation and shifted to a nearby hospital.”
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur told the state assembly that there are reports of 50-60 people being trapped under the debris. “Union Home Minister Amit Shah has talked to me and the topmost priority as of now is to rescue those trapped under the debris and provide them with the best possible treatment,” he added.
Reportedly, Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Thakur over the incident. “PM @narendramodi spoke to Himachal Pradesh CM @jairamthakurbjp regarding the situation in the wake of the landslide in Kinnaur. The PM assured all possible support in the ongoing rescue operations,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to Thakur to take stock of the situation arising due to the landslide. Shah also directed the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to provide all assistance to the Himachal Pradesh government in rescue and relief operations.
Thakur informed the assembly that a Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) bus and several other vehicles were buried under the debris. “The driver and the conductor were rescued with injuries and were not in a position to tell the exact number of the passengers who were on the bus.”
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The teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF), and the local police reached the spot for carrying out the rescue operation. “An army official also called him and extended help. A helicopter is also being arranged for the rescue operation.”
