A landslide caused by torrential rains killed at least 15 tea garden workers in the southern Indian state of Kerala on Friday (7), and rescue workers were searching for more than 50 people thought to be trapped under soil and debris, officials said.
The landslide hit in the early hours as workers slept, in Idukki district, district collector H Dineshan told Reuters.
Fifteen bodies had been recovered so far and another 51 people were feared to be trapped, he said.
"One team of National Disaster Relief Force have reached the site. Helicopters cannot be deployed as the climate is very misty," he added.
"Pained by the loss of lives due to a landslide in Rajamalai, Idukki. In this hour of grief, my thoughts are with the bereaved families. May the injured recover quickly. NDRF and the administration are working on the ground, providing assistance to the affected," tweeted Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.
Nearly 20 cm (7.9 inches) of rain fell on Thursday (6) in Idukki district, according to data compiled by state-run weather department. Idukki is about 240 km (150 miles) north of the state capital Thiruvananthapuram.
"The area has received heavy rains over the last two days and the landslides occurred after midnight. Those affected are mostly tea workers who were sleeping," said S Sureshkumar, the district's additional superintendent of police.
In 2018, Kerala was hit by the worst floods in a century. Hundreds were killed, many of them from Idukki district.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)