Manipur landslides kill 9, mostly children

Imphal: 9 people were killed following landslides in different places in Manipur's Tamenglong town early on Wednesday morning, officials said.

The landslides, triggered by heavy rain, injured seven people who have been admitted to the Tamenglong district hospital. 

The bodies of seven of the nine people missing following the landslides have been recovered, District Deputy Commissioner Rabinder Singh told PTI. 
Security personnel and locals are carrying out rescue operations on a war footing, Singh said.

The victims include 5 children of a family as well as two other children who were swept away by water in the early hours according to an India Today report. A mother and son were also killed after their house was swept away in the landslide.

Chief Minister, N Biren Singh expressed his regret at the incident. 

"I am deeply saddened to know that Nine precious life lost due to land slide at 3 places in Tamenglong Head Quarter, till now 7 bodies have been recovered 2 bodies of children yet to recovered," he tweeted.

He added that rescue operations were on.

Minister of State for the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region, Jitendra Singh, too wrote that he was "saddened" by the incident.

(With agency inputs)