6 killed, 6 injured as tree falls on parked vehicles, street vendors in Manikaran

Six persons were killed and six injured when a tree, uprooted by a landslide, fell on parked vehicles, street vendors and pedestrians on a road near the Manikaran gurdwara today.

Three of the deceased have been identified as Varshini, daughter of Ramesh from Bengaluru, Reema from Manikaran and Sameer Guran from Nepal. The remaining three deceased, including two men, one of whom is believed to be from Punjab, are yet to be identified.

The injured have been identified as Ramesh Babu (53), Pallavi Ramesh (49) and Bhargav from Bengaluru, Vikram Acharya (42) and Tumpa Acharya (40) from Assam and Parachi (23) from Hisar.

The injured were taken to a hospital in Kullu. A medical team, led by the Jari Block Medical Officer, arrived at the spot to provide first aid to the injured.

The incident occurred when the area was alive with activity. The landslide dislodged a tree, causing it to plummet down the hillside on to unsuspecting pedestrians, street vendors and parked vehicles. Eyewitnesses said they heard victims’ cries for help.

Fortunately, local buses that usually occupy the area were not there as it was a Sunday. Residents said had the buses been present, the magnitude of the disaster could have been bigger.

Kullu SDM Vikas Shukla visited the spot to coordinate the relief and rescue operations. Teams from the Revenue Department, police and fire brigade joined local rescue workers to clear the debris, evacuate the injured and recover the bodies.

Kullu MLA Sunder Singh Thakur extended condolences to the bereaved families and promised all necessary support.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu expressed grief over the incident. He directed the district administration to extend all possible assistance to the victims and their families. He also instructed the officers concerned to ensure the best possible medical treatment for the injured.