Nuristan landslide leaves more than 20 dead

PARON (Pajhwok): More than 20 people have been killed in a landslide in the Noorgram district, of eastern Nuristan province, local officials said on Monday.

Eighty houses were destroyed in the incident, Information and Culture Director Maulvi Samiul Haq Haqbayan told Pajhwok Afghan News.

The landslide took place in the Nakra village of Tatin Valley last night due to heavy rainfall.

According to Haqbayan, 20 houses were demolished. The bodies of five victims have been recovered while efforts are ongoing to retrieve the remaining corpses.

Noorgram district chief Qari Habibullah Sabir said the overnight landslide destroyed 80 houses.

A rescue operation was underway to recover the bodies, he said, adding some people were still trapped under the rubble.

Local residents sought assistance, warning that the death toll could rise if more rescue teams were not dispatched to the affected area.

aw/mud