2023 Torkham landslide

On 18 April 2023, a landslide occurred in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. A thunder and lightning storm that occurred caused the landslip, which buried more than 20 trucks and resulted in at least seven fatalities (including two Afghan nationals)[2] and dozens more who are thought to be trapped. A crucial border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Torkham crossing, was shut down as a result of the event.[3]

2023 Torkham landslide
Duration18 April 2023
LocationTorkham, Khyber District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan
CauseThunder and lightning storm
Deaths7[1]
Missing"dozens"

Background

The flow of people and goods between Pakistan and Afghanistan is made easier by the Torkham crossing, which serves as a vital commerce route between the two nations. Another important route for transportation is the Karakoram Highway, which links Gilgit-Baltistan with Islamabad.[4][5]

According to a statement from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Disaster Management Authority, a landslide on the main road leading to the Torkham border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan crushed 15 to 20 cargo cars at around 02:00.[6] The incident has seriously hampered connectivity, trade, and transit between the two nations.[3]

Response

The rescue operation involved heavy machinery, including 12 ambulances, 3 recovery vehicles, 4 fire vehicles, and 3 heavy excavators.[7][8]

Reactions

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed his condolences and directed officials to speed up the rescue work and restore the road for traffic as soon as possible.[7]

See also

References
  1. "Torkham landslide death toll reaches five as two more bodies retrieved". 21 April 2023.
  2. "طورخم میں لینڈ سلائیڈنگ سے دو افراد جاں بحق، کئی ٹرک دب گئے۔" (in Urdu). 2023-04-19.
  3. "Two killed as landslide near Torkham border buries over 20 trucks".
  4. "Landslide at Torkham buries several freight vehicles, injures two". 18 April 2023.
  5. "Landslide in Pakistan's Khyber Pass buries trucks, kills at least two people". Reuters. 18 April 2023.
  6. "Torkham landslide leaves three dead". The Express Tribune. 2023-04-18. Retrieved 2023-04-19.
  7. "Massive landslide near Torkham border buries trucks, kills at least 2 people". 18 April 2023.
  8. "Pakistan Army continues rescue operations after KP landslide kills two, buries over 2 dozen trucks". 18 April 2023.
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