Landslide in India kills 45 people
Two buses, two cars and a motorbike buried in mud
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A landslide that swept two passenger buses off a hillside in northern India has killed 45 people, officials have said.
The landslide in Urla village in Himachal Pradesh state, which was triggered on Sunday by heavy monsoon rains, buried part of the road, trapping two cars and a motorbike as well as the buses.
Soldiers used shovels and pickaxes to remove rocks, boulders and debris covering the buses and pull out the bodies.
Rescue efforts were hampered by intermittent rain, said Ashok Sharma, a police officer who was at the site.
"One of the buses is buried under nearly 15 metres of mud," Mr Sharma said. "It will take us many hours to extricate the bus."
Mr Sharma said he did not hold out much hope of any survivors.
Dozens of houses were washed away in the torrential rain that hit the Mandi region in the Himalayan foothills.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted his condolences: "Pained by the loss of lives due to landslide related accidents in (Himachal Pradesh's) Mandi district. My condolences with the families of the deceased."
Landslides are common in the area during the monsoon season, which runs from June to September.
The area around the village has been deforested extensively, increasing its vulnerability to landslides. Similar deforestation and environmental damage have caused floods and landslides in other parts of India.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments