India's deadly landslide
Rescuers have been looking for survivors all night long - but in vain. At least 60 people were killed by Wednesday's landslide, which buried the village of Malin, located near the city of Pune in western India.
Buried by mud
This used to be Malin village. Now there is nothing left but fallen trees and rocks. On Wednesday, July 30, the landslide buried more than 40 homes - and up to 200 tribal people who used to live here.
Race against time
By now, several hundred rescue workers have arrived with search dogs and earthmoving vehicles. During the night the operations proceeded well but heavy rain hampered the search on Thursday morning. More than 100 people are still missing. "Miracles do happen, but under current conditions it is very, very bleak," said Alok Avasthy, regional commandant at the National Disaster Response Force.
Too late
The landslide hit Malin while the villagers were still sleeping. No one knows when exactly the disaster happened. The first person to reach the village from outside on Wednesday, July 30, was a bus driver who was supposed to stop in Malin. Seeing the village covered by mud and debris, he reported the incident to his depot. The local administration and police were subsequently informed.
Clogged streets
After the news spread, volunteers from neighbouring villages headed towards the affected area. As a result, streets were clogged, ambulance and rescue vehicles could hardly reach the village.
Monsoon time
Floods and landslides like this one are common during monsoon season in India. Similar incidents happend in the Northern States of Uttarakhand und Himachal Pradesh during the past weeks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has described the loss of life as "saddening."
Glimmers of hope
Ten people have been resuced so far, among them - according to "The Indian Express" - a young woman and her six-month-old baby. "She was holding the baby tightly in her arms," a doctor told the newspaper. They and other injured people are treated at a local hospital.