29 laborers washed away in flash floods in N. India

Twenty nine laborers were washed away early Thursday morning in flash floods in Kailashu river in the northern Indian state of Uttaranchal.

Twenty nine people were washed away in the floods in Akrouli, the Press Trust of India quoted Udhampur Nagar district magistrate as said.

Thirty laborers, sleeping in an open area in Akrouli, sought refuge in a tractor trolley to save themselves from the rushing waters, official reports said.

However, the strong current washed away the trolley, taking with it 29 laborers, with one person managed to swim to safety.

Helicopters have been pressed into service for rescue and relief operations, Inspector General (Kumaon Range) Vijay Raghav Pant said, adding that divers have also been asked to fish out the bodies.

Source: Xinhua