Even as the state is reeling from the devastation caused by the tragedy of Tupul landslide and more than 10 bodies yet to be recovered from the debris, another deadly landslide hit the state in Churachandpur district on the Tipaimukh road.
At least two women died and seven others were injured when a Bolero Camper (MZ 01 W1063) carrying 12 passengers, including two children, fell into a deep gorge when their vehicle was swept off by a sudden landslide along the NH-102 Tipaimukh Road in Churchanpur district Friday around 6:30 am.
The accident occurred between Santing L and Saihum village along the Tipaimukh Road, about 90 km from Churachandpur District Hq. According to Saihum village chief Thuamcha, the Bolero camper, carrying 12 passengers, including the driver and the helper, was coming from Churachandpur side.
The deceased and the injured seven were taken to the nearby AR Aina camp, which falls under Henglep sub-division of Churachandpur District.
The deceased women, identified as Lalbuatsai (49), D/ o (L) Sangkhum, died on the spot while Lanunzir (Ziri), W/o Malsawmlien, died after she was provided with first aid at the AR Aina camp. Both the victims are said to be from Sipuikawn village of Pherzawl district which is a Mizoram border village.
The vehicle was operated by Tipaimukh Road Transport Cooperative Society and ferries passengers and at the time of the incident, the vehicle was heading toward Churachandpur town.
As the place of the accident is remote, villagers of the nearby village were the one who understood the rescue effort and the task was made more difficult due to the fact that it was steep and landslide debris had buried the victim.
Meanwhile, as many as 12 bodies of those believed to be buried in the debris of the massive landslide that struck Makhuam (Marangching) village in Noney district remained untraceable till Friday.
The rescue and search team were unable to recover any bodies on the ninth day of the ongoing operation.
So far, 49 bodies have been retrieved and 18 were rescued alive out of 79 total affected by the landslide, official sources said.
It is said that the bones recovered on July 6 have not been counted as a body. The officials maintained that body identification has become increasingly difficult due to tissue disorientation. Besides, finding missing bodies is also becoming increasingly difficult as the ability to trace them decreases with depth, officials said.