Landslide in Gilgit claims lives of eight volunteers

Gilgit: A destructive landslide in Danyore stream area of Gilgit has claimed the lives of eight local volunteers and injured three others, officials confirmed on Monday.

The volunteers were working to restore a water channel damaged by recent flooding when they were buried under debris caused by the sudden landslide.

Rescue operations are ongoing at the site of the incident, while emergency has been declared in various hospitals.

According to the police, local volunteers were working to restore a water channel that had been affected by flooding when a landslide hit, burying them under the rubble. Local residents are continuing the rescue efforts.

Hospital sources have confirmed that three injured individuals were brought to the hospital, along with the bodies of eight volunteers.

A spokesperson for the provincial government stated that climate change is intensifying in Gilgit-Baltistan, and the melting of glaciers continues to cause widespread flooding. The flow of water in the Shishper stream has increased, leading to flooding in the area, which has severely damaged the land in nearby communities.

The spokesperson added that agricultural lands have been affected, trees have been washed away, and the Karakoram Highway has also been impacted. The Hunza highway has once again been closed.

Due to erosion on the Karakoram Highway, traffic heading to Hunza is now being diverted through Nagar Road, the spokesperson added.