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2023 Torkham landslide

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2023 Torkham landslide
Duration18 April 2023
LocationTorkham, Khyber District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
CauseThunder and lightning storm
Deaths7[1]
Missing"dozens"

On 18 April 2023, a landslide occurred in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. A thunder and lightning storm that occurred caused the landslip, which buried more than 20 trucks and resulted in at least seven fatalities (including two Afghan nationals)[2] and dozens more who are thought to be trapped. A crucial border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Torkham crossing, was shut down as a result of the event.[3]

Background

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The flow of people and goods between Pakistan and Afghanistan is made easier by the Torkham crossing, which serves as a vital commerce route between the two nations. Another important route for transportation is the Karakoram Highway, which links Gilgit-Baltistan with Islamabad.[4][5]

According to a statement from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Disaster Management Authority, a landslide on the main road leading to the Torkham border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan crushed 15 to 20 cargo cars at around 02:00.[6] The incident has seriously hampered connectivity, trade, and transit between the two nations.[3]

Response

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The rescue operation involved heavy machinery, including 12 ambulances, 3 recovery vehicles, 4 fire vehicles, and 3 heavy excavators.[7][8]

Reactions

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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his condolences and directed officials to speed up the rescue work and restore the road for traffic as soon as possible.[7]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Torkham landslide death toll reaches five as two more bodies retrieved". 21 April 2023.
  2. ^ "طورخم میں لینڈ سلائیڈنگ سے دو افراد جاں بحق، کئی ٹرک دب گئے۔" (in Urdu). 2023-04-19.
  3. ^ a b "Two killed as landslide near Torkham border buries over 20 trucks".
  4. ^ "Landslide at Torkham buries several freight vehicles, injures two". 18 April 2023.
  5. ^ "Landslide in Pakistan's Khyber Pass buries trucks, kills at least two people". Reuters. 18 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Torkham landslide leaves three dead". The Express Tribune. 2023-04-18. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  7. ^ a b "Massive landslide near Torkham border buries trucks, kills at least 2 people". 18 April 2023.
  8. ^ "Pakistan Army continues rescue operations after KP landslide kills two, buries over 2 dozen trucks". 18 April 2023.