On Monday, two women pilgrims died, while a girl sustained severe injuries following a landslide that occurred on the new track leading to the Vaishno Devi shrine in the Jammu and Kashmir’s Reasi district. Movement of pilgrims on the new track suspended. According to the media reports, the landslide hit the new track near Panchi, three kilometres ahead of Bhawan around 2.35 pm. In the incident, a portion of an overhead iron structure was also damaged.
‘The victims were heading to the Vaishno Devi shrine when the landslide happened resulting in the collapse of the overhead iron structure, in which they got trapped. The injured were evacuated to hospital’, according to the media reports. Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board CEO said the disaster management team of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board have reached the spot.
J&K | Shooting stones and a landslide have taken place on Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine track. Disaster Management team of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board have reached the spot. More details awaited: CEO of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board
— ANI (@ANI) September 2, 2024
Meanwhile, Vishesh Paul Mahajan—Deputy Commissioner of Reasi district confirmed the two deaths quoting the preliminary information report. Mahajan said two women have died and a girl has been grievously injured in the incident.
The Deputy Commissioner said that the senior police and civil administration officers have rushed to the spot. Mahajan added that he is himself heading to Katra, the base camp for the pilgrims visiting the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine atop Trikuta hills.
Officials added, ‘A rescue operation was launched immediately after the landslide and movement of pilgrims on the track was suspended’. The administration and the Shrine board have appealed the pilgrims to practice caution during the yatra and proceed while considering the condition of the route.
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