Gilgit( The COW News Digital) In a devastating incident in the Danyore Nullah area of Gilgit, eight local volunteers lost their lives after being buried under a massive landslide on Monday. The tragedy occurred while the volunteers were working to restore a flood-affected water channel in the mountainous region.
According to police, the volunteers were engaged in repair and restoration work when a large mound of earth and debris suddenly collapsed, engulfing several individuals. The landslide left many trapped beneath the heavy rubble, prompting a large-scale rescue operation by local authorities and community members.
Hospital sources confirmed that eight volunteers were pronounced dead after being retrieved from the debris. Officials fear that additional victims may still be trapped, as the rescue teams continue their search efforts despite challenging terrain and unstable ground conditions. Three injured individuals were rushed to a nearby hospital, where they remain under treatment. Medical staff reported that some of the injured are in critical condition, requiring urgent care.
In response to the disaster, emergency protocols were immediately activated at local hospitals to handle the influx of casualties. Medical teams, rescue workers, and volunteers are working around the clock to recover any remaining trapped individuals and provide necessary aid to the injured.
Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, with locals rushing to assist in the rescue while fearing further landslides due to ongoing instability in the area. Officials have warned residents to stay clear of the landslide site, citing the risk of additional collapses.
Landslides are a recurring threat in the mountainous regions of Gilgit-Baltistan, particularly during the monsoon season, when heavy rainfall and flooding destabilize slopes. Experts warn that climate change and poor infrastructure are exacerbating the frequency and severity of such disasters in the region.
Authorities have assured that a detailed investigation will be conducted to assess the circumstances surrounding the tragedy and to explore measures to protect vulnerable communities from similar incidents in the future.
The incident has cast a pall of grief over Gilgit, with families mourning the loss of their loved ones who had been working selflessly to help their community recover from recent floods.
