Pakistan: Ten killed in Hunza landslide

Monitoring Desk HUNZA: Ten people were killed as landslide destroyed a number of houses located on a hillside in Attaabad village by Hunza River here on Monday. The debris of the houses fell in Hunza River, blocking its flow of water and raising fears of flooding of the low-lying areas across the river. Deputy Commissioner of Gilgit, Asad Zamin has directed the people living in low-lying areas to shift to safer places. As many as 26 houses were devastated by the landslide that occurred at 2:00 PM on Monday. According to hospital sources bodies of 10 people were brought to the facility. Their debris came sliding down into the Hunza River completely obstructing the flowing water. Help of Chinese engineers and local laborers has been sought to restore the flow of the river. The District Administration has closed a portion of Shahra-e-Karakorum between Hunza and Swat for all types the traffic and declared emergency in Hunza. Director General Disaster Manatgement Authority Gilgt-Baltistan, Usman Younis said the rescue and relief activities are being carried out with the help of local volunteers. Deputy Commissioner Gilgit, Asad Zamin has said that the blockage of river flow has triggered fear of flooding and directed the people living in low-lying areas to move to safer locations. Village Attabad has 100 houses located on a hillside in Sarat area of Hunza Tehsil. Many of these houses had cracked as a result of similar landslide 3 years ago.