Nine people are known to have died during a terrifying rockfall in the Sangla Valley of the north Indian state of Himachal Pradesh yesterday. Massive boulders rapidly rolled down a mountainside, crushing an entire bridge and several nearby cars.
The casualties are believed to be tourists who were on their way to Sangla when their vehicle was crushed by the rocks.
Frightening images taken from the incident show Batseri Bridge collapsing into the water after being struck by a huge chunk of rock.
Saju Ram Rana, Kinnaur district Superintendent of Police (SP), confirmed that nine people died and three were injured. However, it is feared the death toll may rise further.
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A statement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: “The accident caused by a landslide in Kinnaur, Himachal Pradesh is very sad.
"My heartfelt condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in this. All arrangements are being made for the treatment of those injured in the accident."
The prime minister added that all those affected would be given access to a government relief fund.
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Chief Minister of the state, Jairam Thakur, also expressed his condolences on Twitter: “The accident in Kinnaur is heart-wrenching.
“It is very sad that a vehicle carrying tourists came under [the landslide’s] grip, in which nine died and two injured and one passerby got injured.
“May God grant peace to the departed souls and strength to the bereaved family.”
It is not yet clear what caused the incident, but warnings of possible landslides had been issued due to predicted heavy rainfall as India experiences its monsoon season, which lasts from June to September each year.