7 die, 20 trapped as temple collapses in Shimla following heavy rain
Shimla, August 15
Seven people died and around 20 others were trapped under the debris as a Shiva temple collapsed at Summer Hill here on Monday morning following a cloudburst.
Though the exact number of people trapped inside is not known, it being a Shravan Monday, the number of devotees is likely to be large.
In a second landslide here, five bodies have been pulled out of the rubble in Fagli area while 17 persons rescued, Shimla SP Sanjeev Kumar Gandhi said.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu walked to Summer Hill to be at the spot as roads were blocked at a number of places en route.
Sources said contact had been established with some of those trapped inside so the possibility of their being alive is high.
The rescue workers removed the debris manually to remove some bodies. Later, a JCB was brought to the site.
Himachal Pradesh is predicted to experience heavy to very heavy rainfall reaching extremely heavy levels (more than 204.4mm) on 14th August. Stay safe! #RedAlert #HimachalPradesh #SevereRainfall #StaySafe @moesgoi @DDNewslive @ndmaindia @airnewsalerts pic.twitter.com/48sJ3fux2k
— India Meteorological Department (@Indiametdept) August 14, 2023
