A landslide happened in Pakistan’s Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province earlier this week. At least 20 trucks were buried in the landslide, and the death toll has risen to 8. The landslide hit the Torkham border post, which is the busiest trade and transit point between Pakistan and Afghanistan. More than 100 trucks were waiting to cross when the landslide occurred.
The rescue services have recovered seven dead bodies, and they are currently trying to recover an eighth body from the debris. The slide hit around 120 meters from the main border crossing, causing fires as drivers were cooking meals before daylight fasting during Ramadan. The cause of the landslide is not clear, but heavy machinery had been in use for months on an expansion project in the hills surrounding the border post. Torrential overnight rain may have also contributed to the landslide.
The rescue operation was delayed because of another landslide that happened in the same area. However, road traffic resumed on Thursday.