A rescue operation is underway after a portion of an under-construction tunnel on the Jammu-Srinagar national highway collapsed near Magarkote in the Ramban district.
Highlights
- A part of the mountain collapsed while rescue operations were underway in J&K
- At least one person was reported to be dead while nine others were trapped under the debris
- The ITBP launched a search and rescue operation.
A part of the mountain collapsed while rescue operations were underway near Khooni Nala in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district on Friday. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) rescued earthmovers and support staff after fresh landslides on Friday evening. The ITBP had earlier in the day had launched a search and rescue operation.
At least one person was reported to be dead while nine others were trapped under the debris after an under-construction tunnel collapsed on Thursday night at the tunnel site near Khooni Nala in Jammu and Kashmir's Ramban district.
The 15th Battalion ITBP personnel along with a sniffer dog, also joined the rescue operation. The incident took place at around 10.15pm when laborers were in full action. Several trucks, excavators and other vehicles were completely damaged in the landslide.
Five people, out of the nine trapped in the debris, are reported to be from West Bengal while two others are from Assam. It also included laborers from Assam and Nepal.
Currently, earthmovers are being used to clear the heavy stones at the site which have been completely covered with tons of debris. A fresh spell of rain and further landslide stalled the rescue operation. Khooni Nala, near which a tunnel was being excavated near Mekarkot, Ramban, is known to have caused casualties in road accidents and accidents in the past. It is sometimes referred to as the 'killer rivulet'.
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