PESHAWAR: The death toll has mounted to eight as at least 20 trucks were buried in a massive landslide that occurred at the Torkham border post between Pakistan and Afghanistan on Tuesday.
The trade and transit point between the two countries is the busiest crossing in the region, and more than 100 trucks were waiting to cross when the incident happened.
Rescue workers initially reported two deaths, but the toll has since risen to eight, according to Bilal Faizi, a spokesperson for Pakistani rescue services. An operation is still ongoing to recover the eighth body.
The landslide hit around 120 meters from the main border crossing, and it caused fires as drivers were cooking meals on gas stoves ahead of the daylight fasting during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
While the cause of the landslide remains unclear, officials speculate that heavy machinery used for months on an expansion project in the hills surrounding the border post may have contributed to the incident. Torrential overnight rain may have also played a role in the landslide.
Road traffic resumed at Pakistan-Afghanistan border
Road traffic resumed on Thursday after the rescue operation was completed. However, the rescue team faced a setback when another landslide occurred in the same area, delaying the operation.
The district deputy commissioner, Abdul Nasir Khan, confirmed the death toll and stated that the cause of the incident is still under investigation.
The Torkham border crossing is a critical trade route for both Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the incident has caused significant disruptions to the flow of goods between the two countries.
The incident highlights the need for improved infrastructure and safety measures in the region to prevent such accidents in the future.
