Arunachal Pradesh: 16 killed in landslide in Tawang, PM expresses grief

Itanagar: At least 16 persons were killed when a massive landslide triggered by incessant rains hit a labour camp in Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh on Friday.

The incident occurred at 3 am when 19 labourers engaged in construction works were inside the camp at Phamla village, 6 km away from Tawang town, SP Anto Alphonse said.

"Altogether 16 bodies have been extricated from the debris, while one seriously injured has been shifted to Tezpur in neighbouring Assam," the SP said, adding two labourers were safe.

Torrential rains results in heavy landslide and flash floods in Changlang town in Arunachal Pradesh. (Photo: PTI)

He said incessant rains for the past couple of days had triggered landslides in several places of the border district. All the bodies were recovered in the joint operation carried out by the Army, civil administration, police and villagers, he said.

The PWD road between New Lebrang and government higher secondary school is also blocked due to landslide, while damage to residential buildings has been reported from the area.

read: Rajnath Singh reviews landslide, floods situation in Arunachal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has expressed grief over the loss of lives. In a message, the Prime Minister extended his condolences to the bereaved families.

Congress President Sonia Gandhi expressed distress and shock over the loss of lives in the landslide. She asked

Congress MLAs, the PCC and the frontal organisations to volunteer in relief work.