Global Courant 2023-04-18 10:52:55
DEVELOPING STORYDEVELOPING STORY,
At least two dead and several injured in a landslide in an area near the Torkham border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Islamabad, Pakistan – A massive landslide in northwest Pakistan has killed at least two people, injured eight others and buried several vehicles, according to officials.
The landslide occurred early Tuesday near Torkham, a key border crossing point between Pakistan and Afghanistan in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
“Rescue officials were informed before dawn of a landslide near the Torkham border after rain and thunderstorms, which buried many trucks and containers,” Bilal Faizi, spokesman for the province’s Rescue 1122 service, told Al Jazeera.
“We have so far recovered two dead while eight were injured, four of whom have been taken to hospital,” he added.
Rescue workers cut through a truck to search for survivors (Courtesy of Rescue 1122 Khyber Pakhtunkhwa)
Faizi said authorities have launched a search operation to search for people trapped under the landslide. He said more than 20 vehicles, including large trucks, could be under the rubble.
“This is not a small landslide that can be quickly cleared. We have more than 60 people working here to clear the rubble. It’s like a whole mountain collapsed,” he said.
The Torkham border crossing was closed for more than a week in February this year due to tensions between Pakistani and Afghan authorities following clashes along the border.
More to follow.
