2 dead in Himachal landslide, at least 25 people feared trapped under debris

Two people have died and at least 25 are feared trapped after a landslide in Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh on Wednesday saw boulders tumbling onto a highway, hitting several vehicles, officials said.

At least 25 people are still trapped, Abid Hussain Sadiq, a government official in the Kinnaur district where the incident happened, told Reuters.

"We are in the middle of rescue operations," he said. "We expect the rescue operations to continue through the night, if not longer."

The accident took place 210 kilometers from state capital Shimla and 60 kilometers from district headquarters Reckong Peo on National Highway 5. Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said the state government has requisitioned the National Disaster Response Force to carry out a search and rescue operation. "If the weather permits, I will go to the spot," he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the CM. "PM @narendramodi spoke to Himachal Pradesh CM @jairamthakurbjp regarding the situation in the wake of the landslide in Kinnaur. PM assured all possible support in the ongoing rescue operations," the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said.

Union home minister Amit Shah also spoke to the CM to take stock of the situation, officials said. He directed the Indo Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) to provide all assistance to the state government in rescue and relief operations.

Kinnaur MLA Jagat Singh Negi said rescue teams comprising ITBP personnel, police and home guards have reached the spot. "One person has been rescued. Rescuers are facing difficulties reaching the bus due to the landslide," said Negi.