Rescue teams recovered another body from the Kalladi landslide site as the Kerala government halted tunnel construction and ordered a comprehensive investigation into the disaster
Search teams recovered one more body from the Kalladi landslide site in Wayanad on Thursday, taking the rescue operation forward as authorities intensified efforts to trace the remaining missing persons. The Kerala government has suspended tunnel construction, announced multiple investigations, and approved financial assistance for the victims' families.
Wayanad: Rescue personnel recovered another body from the landslide-hit Kalladi area of Wayanad district on Thursday morning as search operations entered another crucial phase. The body was found near the Meenakshi River during an extensive search, while teams continued combing the disaster zone for several people still reported missing.
The latest recovery comes days after a massive landslide struck the tunnel construction site near Kalladi Meenakshi Bridge, burying workers, heavy equipment, and vehicles under tonnes of debris.
The recovered body has been shifted to Vythiri Hospital, while officials said the identity of the deceased is yet to be confirmed.
Also Read: Wayanad Kalladi Landslide Leaves Three Dead Five Missing
Wayanad Landslide Search Focuses on Zone 1 and Zone 2
Search operations are currently being carried out across four designated zones around the disaster site.
According to Revenue Minister A.P. Anilkumar, the latest body was recovered from Zone 1, the same area where earlier victims were found.
The minister said rescue agencies suspect more victims may still be trapped beneath the debris, prompting teams to concentrate search efforts in Zone 1 and Zone 2.
"The latest body was recovered from Zone 1. There is a possibility that more victims remain trapped in the same area, and the search is being intensified," Revenue Minister A.P. Anilkumar said.
Officials added that the identities of several victims recovered during the operation are still being verified. Following post-mortem examinations, the bodies will be shifted to Kozhikode Medical College Hospital for further procedures before being handed over to their families.
Kerala Government Halts Wayanad Tunnel Construction
Following the tragedy, the Kerala government has temporarily suspended construction of the Wayanad–Kalladi tunnel project.
Authorities stated that work will remain suspended until investigations into the incident are completed and safety recommendations are implemented.
The state government has ordered both technical and legal investigations into the landslide to determine the circumstances that led to the disaster.
Comprehensive Probe Into Kalladi Landslide Ordered
The government has announced a comprehensive inquiry covering all aspects of the incident.
The investigation will examine:
- The technical reasons behind the landslide.
- Compliance with construction safety standards.
- Whether the contractor followed the environmental guidelines prescribed by the Union Ministry of Environment.
- Reports that a landslide originated from the forest area above the construction site.
- Overall safety measures adopted during tunnel construction.
A high-level engineering team headed by the Public Works Secretary has been tasked with examining the technical aspects of the project.
However, officials are yet to announce the agency that will conduct the legal investigation or specify the timeline for submitting the reports.
The government has stated that tunnel construction will resume only after investigation reports are received, and safety measures are reviewed.
Financial Assistance Announced for Victims' Families
The Kerala government has announced Rs. 5 lakh in financial assistance for the families of each of the deceased.
Authorities also said the government would facilitate the transportation of the victims' bodies to their native states and ensure medical treatment for those injured in the disaster.
The deceased have been identified as:
- Anmol Rai, a worker from Jharkhand
- Bikash Kumar Singh, a civil foreman from Bihar
- Chandra Pan Pal, an operator from Madhya Pradesh
Nine people sustained injuries in the landslide and are currently undergoing treatment at various hospitals.
Officials said five people remain missing, and rescue teams continue to search the debris despite difficult terrain and unstable ground conditions.
Tunnel Construction Site Buried After Massive Landslide
The landslide occurred near Kalladi Meenakshi Bridge, where work on the Wayanad–Kalladi tunnel was in progress.
According to officials, a portion of the hill above the construction site collapsed, sending huge volumes of earth and debris onto the work area.
The landslide buried two buses transporting workers and caused the collapse of a concrete retaining wall constructed as part of the tunnel project.
The death toll currently stands at three officially identified victims, although authorities have cautioned that the number could rise as search operations continue.
Construction Company Responds to Allegations
Amid questions over construction practices, representatives of Dilip Buildcon Limited, the company executing the project, along with officials from Konkan Railway, denied allegations that stored construction soil triggered the landslide.
According to company representatives, the landslide originated from the adjacent forest area rather than from excavated soil at the construction site.
The company stated that:
- The stored construction soil had been safely covered with tarpaulin.
- Protective retaining structures had already been built as part of the tunnel project.
- Those protective measures helped reduce the impact of the landslide on the worksite.
Authorities have indicated that these claims will be examined as part of the ongoing technical and legal investigations.
