Two women died while a girl was injured after a landslide occurred at the new track of the Mata Vaishno Devi shrine in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir on Monday (September 2), officials said. The rescue and relief operations were launched by the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board immediately.
The landslide hit the route near Panchi, three km ahead of Bhawan, at around 2.35 pm, and also damaged a portion of an overhead iron structure, the officials said.
"Shooting stones and a landslide have taken place on Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine track. Disaster Management team of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board have reached the spot." CEO of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board said.
The pilgrims were heading for the shrine when they got trapped under the iron structure following the landslide, officials said.
According to them, the landslide was caused by shooting stones in the wake of rainfall over the past few days.
Deputy Commissioner of Reasi Vishesh Paul Mahajan said senior police and civil administration officers have rushed to the spot.
Mahajan too left for Katra -- the base camp for the Vaishno Devi pilgrims -- to take stock of the situation and to personally know the condition of the injured girl.
On New Year's Day in 2022, a stampede at the shrine left 12 pilgrims dead and 16 injured.
(With inputs from Rahi Kapoor)
