Landslide claims 7 lives including 4 kids,and 2 pregnant women in Arunachal

United News of India

5 days ago

Itanagar, May 31 (UNI) In a devastating incident, seven individuals, including four children and two pregnant women, lost their lives after their vehicle was swept off NH-13 by a massive landslide triggered by relentless rainfall.
The tragedy occurred on Friday night, approximately 3 km from Bana towards Seppa in Arunachal Pradesh's East Kameng district, police said on Saturday.
The deceased have been identified as Shankar alias Saju Budi Aka (35) and his wife Tasum Budi Aka (25), who was 4 months pregnant, Kachung Budi Aka (8), Nicha Budi Aka (4), Jajum Yame (33), who was 7 months pregnant, Tushum Yame (5), and Patiya Yame (7).
All were residents of Kitchang village, Bana, in Bichom district.
East Kameng SP Kamdam Sikom said, Seppa Police Station received a distress call reporting that a white Maruti Fronx had been swept downhill by a sudden landslide.
Responding with urgency, a police team was immediately dispatched to the site. Upon arrival, locals informed the team that the vehicle carrying seven individuals had been forcefully pushed off the road and had plunged into a deep gorge, disappearing from view.
The SP said that adverse weather severely hampered the rescue efforts with continuous torrential rain, fresh landslides, and extremely poor visibility made it nearly impossible to safely conduct search operations. At first light on Saturday, the rescue operation resumed with renewed determination and crucial support from local villagers.
After hours of strenuous effort, the wreckage of the vehicle was located approximately 150 meters below the highway. The vehicle was found completely mangled, bearing the marks of a violent impact from the steep fall.
Tragically, all seven occupants were found dead inside the vehicle. With great difficulty, the rescue team managed to retrieve the bodies from the mangled remains.
This heartbreaking incident has claimed nine lives in total, including two unborn children. Legal formalities are currently underway, after which the bodies will be handed over to their respective families, SP Sikom said, adding that further investigation into the incident is ongoing.
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