3 killed in landslide during road widening at Hulikal ghats in K'taka, CM announces ex-gratia

Shivamogga

Three labourers were killed and four others injured after a landslide struck a road construction site at Hulikal Ghat in this district, police said on Friday. The deceased have been identified as Raghavendra (37), Raju (30), and Shabbir (40), all engaged in wall construction work at the site, they said. The incident occurred on late Thursday afternoon at a hairpin bend in Hulikal Ghat in Hosanagara taluk when workers were engaged in road-related works along the Kundapura-Shivamogga stretch, they said.

According to officials, a large quantity of soil and rocks suddenly caved in from the hillside, burying workers. A total of seven workers were caught in the landslide. Three labourers died on the spot after being trapped under the debris. Rescue teams managed to pull out four injured workers and shift them to hospitals in nearby areas, including Kundapura and Udupi, for treatment, they said. The mishap took place during ongoing efforts to build a retaining wall aimed at ensuring the safety of vehicles navigating the ghat section, which is known for its steep curves and landslide-prone terrain.

An SDRF team from Mangaluru reached the place early Friday morning and took up the relief work. Police, fire and emergency personnel rushed to the spot soon after the incident and launched rescue operations. Authorities said the sudden collapse of loose soil and rocks from the upper slope is suspected to have triggered the landslip. A case has been registered, and an investigation is underway to ascertain whether adequate safety measures were in place at the worksite.

aking to 'X', CM Siddaramaiah said that regarding the incident, I have spoken with District In-charge Minister Madhu Bangarappa and obtained information. "I am deeply saddened to hear the news that three workers lost their lives when soil collapsed during the construction of a road barrier at a bend in Hulikal Ghat, in Hosanagara taluk of Shivamogga district. I pray that the souls of the deceased unfortunate workers attain eternal peace, and that their family members find the strength to bear this sorrow," he said. These breadwinning lives, which were the support of their families, have been lost in this tragedy, and on humanitarian grounds, a compensation of Rs five lakh each will be provided to the families of the deceased workers, the chief minister added.