9 killed as Himachal suffers multiple landslides, PM announces Rs 2 lakh ex gratia payment

The 9 deceased were in a tempo traveller that came under heavy boulders in Kinnaur district. Three people hurt in landslides to get Rs 50,000 as compensation.

A bridge collapsed after a landslide at Batseri of Sangla valley in Kinnaur district on Sunday, 25 July | PTI photo

Shimla: Nine people were killed and three others injured in multiple landslides in Himachal Pradesh’s Kinnaur district on Sunday, police said.

Multiple landslides occurred near Batseri on Sangla-Chitkul road, they added.

Heavy boulders fell on a tempo traveller carrying 11 people, killing nine and injuring two, according to the police.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences over the death of people due to the landslides and said all arrangements are being made for the treatment of those injured.

It is a very painful incident, Modi said and also announced an ex gratia of Rs 2 lakh each for the next of the kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured from the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.

In a similar incident, one person was injured in another landslide in Kinnaur district, the police added.

The police said they have started rescue operations and further details are awaited. – PTI