2023 Torkham landslide
| Duration | 18 April 2023 |
|---|---|
| Location | Torkham, Khyber District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan |
| Cause | Thunder and lightning storm |
| Deaths | 7[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
[edit]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
[edit]The rescue operation involved heavy machinery, including 12 ambulances, 3 recovery vehicles, 4 fire vehicles, and 3 heavy excavators.[7][8]
Reactions
[edit]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
[edit]
References
[edit]- ^ "Torkham landslide death toll reaches five as two more bodies retrieved". 21 April 2023.
- ^ "طورخم میں لینڈ سلائیڈنگ سے دو افراد جاں بحق، کئی ٹرک دب گئے۔" (in Urdu). 2023-04-19.
- ^ a b "Two killed as landslide near Torkham border buries over 20 trucks".
- ^ "Landslide at Torkham buries several freight vehicles, injures two". 18 April 2023.
- ^ "Landslide in Pakistan's Khyber Pass buries trucks, kills at least two people". Reuters. 18 April 2023.
- ^ "Torkham landslide leaves three dead". The Express Tribune. 2023-04-18. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
- ^ a b "Massive landslide near Torkham border buries trucks, kills at least 2 people". 18 April 2023.
- ^ "Pakistan Army continues rescue operations after KP landslide kills two, buries over 2 dozen trucks". 18 April 2023.