IRSHALWADI, India, 21st July, 2023 (WAM) — The death toll from a massive landslide in western India rose to 16 late on Thursday, as rescue operations were suspended with around 100 people still feared trapped, Reuters reported, citing officials.
Land gave way in the middle of the night in the remote mountain hamlet of Irshalwadi, in the state of Maharashtra, about 60 km (37 miles) from Mumbai, flattening several houses and trapping many who lived there.
Rescue workers recovered 16 bodies before night fell and local authorities advised they suspend the search, Director-General of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), Atul Karwal, told Reuters.
"It is not possible to look for people in the dark in such terrain," he said, adding he remained hopeful more could be found alive.