SRINAGAR: Two palanquin carriers from Jammu and Kashmir were killed and three others, including a pilgrim from Gujarat, injured after a landslide struck the Kedarnath trek route on Wednesday, media reports said.
The incident took place around 11:20 am near Junglechatti Ghat when boulders rolled down a hillside, hitting porters and pilgrims. The victims fell into a gorge following the impact.
The deceased were identified as Nitin Kumar and Chandrashekhar, both from Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir.
The injured included two more palanquin carriers from Doda — Sandeep Kumar and Nitin Manhas — and a pilgrim, Akash Chitriya, from Bhavnagar, Gujarat.
Police, SDRF teams and locals conducted a rescue operation using ropes to retrieve the victims from the gorge. Two persons died on the spot, while two of the injured were referred to a health centre in Gaurikund, police said.
Pilgrim movement on the route is continuing under police supervision.
