Imphal: The death count due to a massive landslide at a Territorial Army Camp in Manipur's Noney district rose to 24 on Saturday (July 2) with 38 people still missing, officials said. More teams were deployed at the site in Tupul to augment the search and rescue operations, they said.
Army, Assam Rifles, Territorial Army, SDRF, and NDRF are continuing the search operations at the site, a defence spokesperson in Guwahati said.
So far, 13 personnel of the Territorial Army and five civilians have been rescued, officials said.
The landslide occurred on Wednesday night at the Territorial Army Camp near the Tupul yard railway construction site.
"As officials are facing difficulties due to rains and other factors, a Thorough Wall Radar is also being inducted by air to detect the presence of personnel buried in the debris," an official release said.
Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh, accompanied by top Army and civil officials, visited the disaster site on Friday. The Chief Minister has announced a compensation of ₹ 5 lakh each for the family of those who died and ₹ 50,000 for those injured.
Last evening, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said in a tweet that nine jawans from her state have died in the incident.
"Shocked to know that nine jawans of the Darjeeling hills ( 107 Territorial Army unit)are among the casualties in the Manipur landslide. Deeply mourn the demises and extend all solidarity and support to the next of kin. Heartfelt condolences," Banerjee said.