Karnataka: Three killed as retaining wall collapses on houses in rain-triggered landslide
Mangaluru, July 1 (IANS) At least three people — a woman and two girls — were killed after a compound wall collapsed onto a residential building in a landslide triggered by heavy rain at Kankanady in the coastal city of Karnataka’s Mangaluru on Wednesday.
Three people — a man and two girls — miraculously escaped unhurt in the incident. Several other injured persons were rushed to the hospital, and the condition of some of them is said to be critical.
The identities of the deceased are yet to be officially confirmed. Police said the death toll could rise as rescue operations continue.
According to officials, one of the affected houses was occupied by a migrant family from Bihar.
Preliminary information suggests that continuous heavy rainfall since Tuesday weakened the area, and at around 5 a.m., the compound wall, which had been constructed to prevent landslides, collapsed onto the residential building. The building housed four families, all of whom were affected by the incident.
In one of the houses, a couple and their four children were living when the wall came crashing down. Personnel from the Fire and Emergency Services, along with police and local residents, rushed to the spot and launched rescue operations.
Recounting the incident, one of the survivors said, “We were sleeping inside the house when suddenly the roof collapsed. We immediately started running outside. By the time we managed to escape, the entire house had been destroyed. We could hear the other families in the building screaming for help, but I was unable to rescue them. I ran to the nearby police station, and the police immediately rushed to the spot and helped us. Later, local residents also joined the rescue efforts.”
The survivor said the family had been living in the rented house for the past 12 years.
“There were four houses. In one house, a couple lived with their four children. Another house was occupied by a couple. Our family lived in another house with our two children. Two children from the first family sustained serious injuries, and all four children have been shifted to the hospital. A woman from another house is also in critical condition, while another injured person has been admitted to the hospital,” the survivor said.
Residents said the retaining wall had been constructed around eight years ago.
Senior officials visited the spot, inspected the damage, and gathered details of the incident. Rescue operations were continuing at the time of filing this report.
Reacting to the tragedy, Deputy Chief Minister G. Parameshwara stated, “Deeply saddened by the tragic landslide incident in Mangaluru. Six people were trapped in the affected house, of whom three have been rescued while, tragically, three have lost their lives. My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families, and I pray for the speedy recovery of those who have been rescued.”
“I have spoken to the Deputy Commissioner of the district and directed the officials to ensure that all necessary rescue, relief, and rehabilitation measures are taken without delay. I have also spoken to the Minister in charge of Disaster Management, Minister for Health U.T. Khader, and requested him to closely monitor the situation and ensure all required assistance is extended,” he stated.
The Fire and Emergency Services, NDRF, and the district administration are continuing rescue and relief operations. The government stands firmly with the affected families and will extend every possible support, Parameshwara stated.
–IANS
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