Shimla: In a tragic incident on Tuesday, two migrant laborers lost their lives in a landslide along Junga road, approximately 20 kilometers from Shimla. According to authorities, the victims, hailing from Bihar, were asleep inside a makeshift shelter when the landslide struck near a stone crusher at Ashwani Khud on the Mehli-Junga road, occurring around 3:30 am. Fortunately, five other laborers in the vicinity managed to escape unharmed.
Shimla’s superintendent of police, Sanjeev Gandhi, confirmed that the bodies of Rakesh Kumar (34) and Rajesh Kumar (36) were recovered and subsequently sent for post-mortem examination at the local Indira Gandhi Medical College and Hospital.
Following the incident, Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap visited the site and coordinated rescue efforts. A team comprising police personnel, firefighters, State Disaster Response Force members, and home guard personnel promptly responded to the scene upon receiving the landslide report. The injured individuals, identified as Rahul Kumar (18), Megh Sahni (42), Baijnath Ram (35), and Ashok Ram (45) from Bihar, along with Tony Kumar (20) from Chamba, were provided medical attention and undergoing treatment for their injuries.
The landslide serves as a grim reminder of the risks faced by migrant workers who often live and work in hazardous conditions. It underscores the importance of ensuring adequate safety measures in such environments to prevent such tragedies from occurring in the future.
Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the landslide and are likely to implement measures to enhance safety protocols in similar areas prone to such incidents. The local community and relevant authorities are urged to remain vigilant and proactive in addressing potential hazards to prevent further loss of life and ensure the well-being of all individuals, particularly those engaged in labor-intensive activities in vulnerable areas.