8 dead after landslide hits Rudraprayag town in Uttarakhand, India

At least eight people were killed late October 19, 2019, after big rocks hit a car and two motorcycles following a landslide in Rudraprayag district in Uttarakhand, India.

District magistrate of Rudraprayag Mangesh Ghildiyal confirmed the incident, saying "Eight persons have died after their vehicles were hit by a landslide. All three vehicles plunged into an almost 500 meter (1 640 feet) deep gorge after being hit by boulders."

Ghildiyal added that three bodies have been recovered, and efforts are on to retrieve the rest of the five bodies.

A team of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local police rushed to the area upon receiving reports. However, the search and rescue operations were halted on October 19 for safety purposes as boulders were continuously falling from the hill.

"The rescue operation was started on Sunday morning and three bodies were identified by the authorities," confirmed by an official of the state emergency operation center.

Ghildiyal added that the victims were probably pilgrims as the car which was hit by boulders had a registration number of Delhi.

"Exact details would be ascertained once all the bodies are recovered and identified," said the district magistrate.

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