Daijiworld Media Network - Mandi

Mandi, Sep 3: A devastating landslide in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district has resulted in the deaths of six people, including four members of the same family. The incident occurred on Wednesday in the town of Sundernagar when a hillside collapsed, burying two houses under a torrent of mud and debris.

Rescue teams, including personnel from the police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), have been working tirelessly to clear the rubble. Five bodies were recovered from the site, and a sixth victim, who was on a scooter nearby, is still missing.

The deceased have been identified as Gurpreet Singh (35), his wife Bharti (30), their daughter Kirat (3), Shanti Devi (70), and Surender Kaur (56). The names of the other victims have not been released.

According to Mandi Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan, rescue operations have been difficult due to continuous rainfall and unstable mud. As a safety precaution, two nearby houses have been evacuated, one of which was partially damaged.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed his condolences on social media, calling the incident "tragic and heart-wrenching." He stated that a full report has been requested from the district administration and that all efforts are focused on locating the missing person and preventing further loss of life.

In light of the tragedy, all educational institutions in the Sundernagar subdivision were closed on Wednesday.