India: 9 tourists killed in Himachal Pradesh after a vehicle was hit by falling boulders

Monday, July 26, 2021

At least nine tourists have been killed in northern Indian state Himachal Pradesh after the vehicle they were travelling in was hit by falling boulders. Three others were reportedly injured in the incident, which happened in the state of Himachal Pradesh on Sunday.

The chief minister of Himachal Pradesh, Jairam Thakur, described the incident as “heart-wrenching”.

In video shared on social media platform, large boulders can be seen striking parked vehicles before causing a bridge to collapse in the state’s Kinnaur district.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he was sending his “heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives”. He added that all those affected would be given access to a government relief fund.

Mr Thakur, meanwhile, said an emergency operation was under way to provide immediate assistance to the victims.

Some of those killed were from the capital, Delhi, and were visiting the popular tourist village Chitkul.

It is not yet clear what caused the incident, but warnings of possible landslides had been issued due to predicted heavy rainfall.

Some parts of India have been hit by landslides and flooding triggered by heavy rains, as the country experiences its monsoon season which lasts from June to September each year.

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