Himachal landslides: 12 bodies recovered, dozens missing
Teams of Army, NDRF, along with Public Works Department have launched the rescue operation.
By : migrator
Update: 2017-08-13 10:16 GMT
Chennai
More than 20 people were feared dead after massive landslides washed away and buried the two buses in Himachal Pradesh today.
Twelve bodies have been recovered so far from the debris, sources said. About one dozen injured have been rushed to the Mandi hospital.
Official report said that seven earth removers and 50 workers were pressed into clearing the muck.
Teams of Army, NDRF, along with Public Works Department have launched the rescue operation.
Eight bodies were recovered from the Manali-Katra bus. The deceased have been identified as Manju (20), resident of Karsog; Shubham (21), resident of Shimla; Suchitra (19), resident of Shimla; Joyti Sharma (18), resident of Shimla; Anita (23), resident of Jogindernagar; Suruchi Thakur (22), resident of Joginderngar; and Neha Khadun, resident of Mandi. One body was yet to be identified.
Four bodies were recovered from Chamba-Manali bus. They are yet to be identified.
The landslide occurred around 12.20 a.m. on the Mandi-Pathankot highway near Kotropi village in Jogindernagar tehsil when two Himachal Road Transport Corporation buses were stationed at a kiosk on the highway for refreshments.
"As per the last communication with the driver, the bus (to Manali) was packed to capacity," state Transport Minister G.S. Bali told a news channel.
Over 40 passengers were on board the bus headed to Manali from Chamba at the time of the disaster.
State Revenue Minister Kaul Singh announced an ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh to the next of kin of those killed.
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh and Leader of Opposition Prem Kumar Dhumal have rushed to the spot.
Shimla District Administration has released number of helpline: 0195226201,226202,226203 and 226204.
Edited by- Vandhana Srinivasan
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