ALBAWABA - Twelve people were killed when a quarry in the Indian state of Mizoram collapsed due to torrential rains that followed a strong storm, according to government officials on Tuesday.
Aizawl district deputy commissioner Nazuk Kumar told AFP, "So far 12 bodies have been found, we are looking for more." Meanwhile, Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma promised compensation to the families of those who lost loved ones in the "landslide due to Cyclone Remal."
Deputy Commissioner of Aizawl district Nazuk Kumar told the media that at least 12 people have been found dead, while search and rescue efforts continue to look for more survivors.
According to the police general commissioner Anil Shukla stated that the rescue efforts were hampered due to the heavy rains that continue to affect the already-stricken area.
On his end, Indian Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar took to X, formerly twitter, to express sadness and grief over the tragic quarry collapse. "Extremely pained by the loss of lives in a stone quarry collapse incident in Aizawl, Mizoram, due to heavy rainfall," the Indian VP said.
"My thoughts are with the bereaved families in this hour of grief. I pray for the speedy recovery of those affected, and the success of rescue operations that are underway" He added.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma stated in a statement that one person had died in India's neighboring state of Assam and that the power supply had been cut off due to heavy rainfall.
With strong gusts and smashing waves, the storm made landfall on Sunday evening in Bangladesh and neighboring India. The cyclone and storms that followed it claimed the lives of at least 38 individuals overall.
Eight Indian deaths occurred in the state of West Bengal on Tuesday, updating an earlier death toll of six, and bringing the nation's death toll to at least 21.
At least 17 people lost their lives in neighboring Bangladesh, which was most hit by the storm that made landfall on Sunday, according to the police and disaster management office.
