Ten women labourers buried alive in Telangana, India, as mound of mud fell on them

Hyderabad; At least 10 women labourers were killed when a mound of mud collapsed on them in Narayanpet district of Telangana on Wednesday, police said.

The incident occurred near Tileru village under Marikal Mandal when the labourers working under National Rural Employment Guarantee scheme (Nrega) were taking their lunch under a mound.

According to officials the soil had loosened due to overnight rains and the portion of the mud-hill fell on them burying them alive. One woman Ch Lakshmi survived while ten others died. Other labourers in the vicinity rushed to rescue them and heavy machinery was also deployed to remove the debris, but they could not survive.

The victims were among a large number of labourers engaged in digging trenches under the government scheme of guaranteed employment to the rural poor.

The victims include 65 year old Chakali Anatamma, 56 year old Burramalla Anantamma and 40 year old G Buddamma.

Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao expressed his deep shock and anguish over the incident and said that the labourers belonged to the poorest strata of society as they were working in scorching summer. He directed the ministers and officials to extend immediate help to the bereaved families.