New Delhi: Eight persons, including seven personnel of army, were killed and over 70 have gone missing after a massive landslide at the railway construction site in Manipur’s Noni district.

The incident took place last night near the Tuppul Yard railway construction camp. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi have expressed grief over the incident.

So far, eight bodies have been recovered and around 72 persons are feared trapped under the debris, officials said.

Officials said rescue operations is going on and due to the debris, the flow of the IJEI river has stopped and a large amount of water has accumulated there. This has led to the risk of submergence of low lying areas. The Deputy Commissioner of Noni warned, “Dozens of people have been buried under the debris due to landslides at the Tupul Yard railway construction camp.

The flow of the IJEI river has also come to a halt due to the debris and the water there has accumulated like a dam which posed a threat to the low lying areas of the district. He has advised the general public to take precautions.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Home Minister spoke to Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh over the phone and expressed grief over the incident.

Modi assured all possible help while reviewing the rescue operations. Shah said one NDRF team has already reached the spot while two teams will reach soon. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has also expressed grief over the incident and expressed condolences to the family members of the deceased. The Chief Minister has announced a compensation of Rs.5 lakh each for the bereaved families of the deceased and Rs.50,000/- for the injured.

Meanwhile, two more NDRF teams have rushed to the spot to assist in relief and rescue operations.

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