Pune village landslide: Death toll climbs to 28, massive rescue effort on

Pune: With five more bodies being extricated on Thursday from the debris of the landslide that devastated Malin village near here, the death toll has gone up to 28 even as 150 people were still feared to be trapped under the huge mound of mud-and-rock debris.

While recovering 28 bodies as part the rescue operation since yesterday morning, the NDRF jawans also rescued eight injured persons who were being treated at nearby hospitals, Pune Deputy Collector Suresh Jadhav told PTI.

Rescue work, though affected by rain and muddy terrain, was continuing without a break in the village, he said, adding that the pace was slow because utmost caution was being exercised to ensure safety of those still alive under the debris.

About 150 people could still be trapped under the huge mound of landslide debris of mud and stones, he said.

Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh is at the mishap site to inspect the relief and rescue operation, Jadhav said As many as 44 houses were crushed in Malin village, located at the foot of a hill in Ambegaon taluka, about 120 kms from the district headquarters here in Western Maharashtra, by the massive landslide that occurred yesterday morning.

Scores of JCB machines, dumpers and ambulances have been pressed into service to clear the rubble and shift the dead and survivors to hospitals.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had yesterday condoled the loss of lives in the tragedy and asked Singh to rush to Pune to take stock of the situation.