Space Travel News
THE STANS
Two dead after landslide at Pakistan-Afghanistan border crossing
Two dead after landslide at Pakistan-Afghanistan border crossing
by AFP Staff Writers
Landi Kotal, Pakistan (AFP) April 18, 2023

At least two people were killed and eight injured in a massive pre-dawn landslide that buried dozens of trucks waiting to cross from Pakistan to Afghanistan, officials said Tuesday.

The landslide struck Torkham border post, the busiest and most important transit point for trade between the two countries, as more than 120 trucks were waiting to cross.

"We have recovered two bodies and have taken eight injured to hospital," Bilal Faizi, a spokesman for the Rescue 1122 emergency service, told AFP.

Faizi said fires broke out following the landslide, the brunt of which struck about 120 metres (130 yards) from the main border crossing.

Drivers and their assistants were cooking pre-dawn meals on gas stoves ahead of a day of fasting during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

"The fire is under control now. The rescue operation is ongoing with the help of excavators and other heavy machinery," Faizi added.

The cause of the landslide was not immediately clear, but one official said heavy machinery had been in use for months on an expansion project in the hills surrounding the border post.

Torrential overnight rain may also have contributed, said the official, Ali Raza.

Authorities have closed the border crossing for trucks and other vehicles, but it remains open for foot traffic, Raza said.

Related Links
News From Across The Stans

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
THE STANS
Chinese engineer in Pakistan police protection after blasphemy accusation
Peshawar, Pakistan (AFP) April 17, 2023
A Chinese supervisor at a dam construction project in Pakistan is under police protection after workers accused him of blasphemy against Islam, officials said Monday. Blasphemy is a hugely sensitive issue in Muslim-majority Pakistan, where even rumours of sacrilegious remarks can incite lynch mobs and deadly violence. Officials said the engineer at the Dasu hydropower project in northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province was accused of blasphemy after he highlighted the "slow pace of work" during ... read more

THE STANS
THE STANS
Ingenuity Mars Helicopter completes 50th flight

Slip and Pivot: Sol 3797

NASA unveils 'Mars' habitat for year-long experiments on Earth

Curiosity software upgrade complete: Sol 3796

THE STANS
NASA's first flight with crew critical to long-term return to the moon

First woman, Black astronaut, Canadian to make 2024 flight around Moon

NASA to reveal crew for 2024 flight around the Moon

U.S. Navy pilot to become first person of color to go to the moon

THE STANS
Icy Moonquakes: Surface Shaking Could Trigger Landslides

Europe's Jupiter probe launched

Europe's JUICE mission blasts off towards Jupiter's icy moons

Spotlight on Ganymede, Juice's primary target

THE STANS
International team discover new exoplanet partly using direct imaging

Webb peeks into the birthplaces of exoplanets

HD 169142 b, the third protoplanet confirmed to date

Do Earth-like exoplanets have magnetic fields

THE STANS
Rocket Lab introduces suborbital testbed rocket, selected for hypersonic test flights

SpaceX to make second bid to launch Starship on test flight

SpaceX reschedules Starship test flight for Thursday

Southern Launch to partner with Koonibba aboriginal community to develop spaceport

THE STANS
Shenzhou XV mission crew members set China record

Spacewalks become 'routine' after 12th mission

Rocket that will carry Tianzhou ship to space arrives at launch center

China and Brazil to expand cooperation in space development

THE STANS
UCF will help researchers study metal asteroids for resources, clues to formation

Lucy snaps its first views of Trojan Asteroid targets

New agreement will help researchers study metal worlds of M-type asteroids

Psyche updated plan puts mission on track for October launch

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.