Pune village landslide toll reaches 75, hope for survivors fades

Mangalore Today News Network

Pune, Aug 02, 2014:  As hopes of finding more survivors are receding, rescuers dug out more bodies since Friday night as the toll in the Malin landslide disaster rose to 75 on Saturday.

 

Over 100 people are still feared trapped under the debris of the landslide that flattened 44 houses in the village located in a hilly terrain in Ambegaon taluka on Wednesday.

NDRF personnel, whose relentless rescue efforts entered the fourth day, wore masks to keep out stench of the decomposed bodies.

Mass cremations were being performed by relatives who reached the village.

Maharashtra government has announced assistance of Rs.five lakh each to families of the victims.

The state relief and rehabilitation minister Patangrao Kadam told reporters that the rescue operation was expected to continue for another two days.

A lull in the rains this morning enabled NDRF jawans to clear the mud faster using JCBs and dumpers, he added.