Land Slide in Kinnaur, Himachal, Atleast 40 Feared Buried Under Debris; ITBP Team on Rescue Operation

A major landslide was reported in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday. Some photos and videos from site went viral soon after the landslide hit a bus and other vehicles, trapping at least 40 people under the rubble.

At least 40 people are feared trapped after a major landslide struck a bus and few other vehicles in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday. The landslide hit the bus, which was travelling from Kinnaur to Haridwar, on the national highway near Chaura in the Kinnaur district.

Kinnaur MLA JS Negi said, "The landslide incident has taken place near Nigulsari. A bus is buried under the rubble there. Few cars and a truck are suspected to be trapped. The bus driver and one more person rescued. ITBP rescue teams at the spot. Operations hindered due to falling boulders."

The Army, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) and local rescue teams have been called in for the rescue work, the Kinnaur deputy commissioner was quoted by news agency PTI as saying. Teams of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) have also been rushed to the spot to carry out the rescue operations.

So far, two people, including the driver of the bus, have been rescued. The driver said there were 25 passengers on the bus. Besides the bus, a truck and some other vehicles have also been hit by the landslide.