11 people were killed when a mound of earth caved in on a row of houses of tea estate workers at Pettimudi in the high range Idukki district early Friday morning as heavy rains pounded the area triggering a landslide. Police sources told PTI that five bodies have been recovered. At least 70 people were suspected to be trapped under the soil, burying as many as 20 houses of plantation workers.
Police and Fire service personnel rushed to the spot and the district administration has asked hospitals in the region to stay prepared.The state Health department has dispatched 15 ambulances and a special medical team to provide medical assistance to those affected by the landslides in Idukki. Meanwhile, the office of Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has contacted the Air Force seeking its helicopter for the rescue mission in Idukki.