India Landslide: At Least 16 People Killed In India’s Northeastern State Of Arunachal Pradesh, Prime Minister Expresses Grief

A landslide triggered by torrential rains claimed the lives of at least 16 people in the northeastern Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh Friday. Rescuers recovered the bodies from the rubble after the landslide hit a labor camp in Tawang district, a tourist area, in the state.

The camp, which was housing construction workers, was destroyed in the landslide which trapped several people. Rescue operations are underway for two workers who are believed to be trapped beneath the debris. The workers were reportedly sleeping when the landslide hit their camp, located at an altitude of more than 9,800 feet.

"Three laborers survived and have received minor injuries. A total of 20 workers were at the spot when the massive landslide struck the construction site," Anto Alphonse, superintendent of police for Tawang, told Agence France-Presse.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed grief over the lives lost.

Heavy rainfall in the district over the past few days caused flooding, severely damaging two hydel projects, local media reports said.