Two Dead, Four Injured As Landslide Hits Amarnath Yatra Pilgrims

Jammu and Kashmir: Two people lost their lives and four were injured after a landslide hit Amarnath Yatra pilgrim near Brarimarg, which falls on Baltal route, on Tuesday. The landslide was triggered by flash floods.

A police official said a landslide was reported between Railpatri and Brarimarg on Baltal route. Rescue teams have reached the spot and the injured are being shifted to hospital. One of them is in a critical condition.

“Bodies of the two pilgrims have been kept at the Baltal base camp hospital for further legal proceedings,” said an official.

Three pilgrims had died en route Amarnath shrine earlier in the day. With this, the death toll in this year’s yatra rose to eight.

Meanwhile, 3,500 pilgrims left for the yatra from Jammu as a part of sixth batch, despite all deaths and calamities, amid tight security.

Around 36,366 pilgrims have visited the 3,888-metre-high cave shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas so far, taking the 36-km Pahalgam track. The yatra to the shrine commenced on June 28 despite the rain and threat of flash floods.

The 60-day yatra will conclude on August 26.