Landslide kills 5 and injures equal number in Kinnuar

Shimla, July 4 (UNI) At least five rpt five labourers were killed and as many injured in a landslide in Kinnuar district of Himachal Pradesh today, District SP Arvind Sharda said.

The incident occurred near Khab, at about 70 kms from Kinnuar, at 1100 hrs on the National Highway No 22 while the labourers were clearing the road, he told UNI over telephone from Rekong Peo.

Mr Sharda said the labourers were clearing the road after the BRO conducted a blast last night to widen the road. Huge boulders and earth started falling on the labourers.

Asserting that only five people were killed in the incident, he said earlier reports of 11 laboureres killed, six of who were belived to have been trapped under the debris and were feared dead, were wrong.

Official sources, on condition of anonymity, had earlier told UNI that 11 labourers were killed in the incident, six of whom were still trapped under the debris and feared dead.

He said as soon as the earth and boulders starting falling, the labourers ran in the melee to save themselves.

The SP said five injured in the accident have been admitted in Community Health Centre (CHC) at Pooh after being provided first aid in the Army Hospital. They all are said to be out of danger, he added.

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