2023 Torkham landslide
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| Duration | 18 April 2023 |
|---|---|
| Location | Torkham, Khyber District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan |
| Cause | Thunder and lightning storm |
| Deaths | 7[1] |
| Missing | "dozens" |
On 18 April 2023, a landslide occurred in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. A thunder and lightning storm that occurred caused the landslip, which buried more than 20 trucks and resulted in at least seven fatalities (including two Afghan nationals)[2] and dozens more who are thought to be trapped. A crucial border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan, the Torkham crossing, was shut down as a result of the event.[3]
The flow of people and goods between Pakistan and Afghanistan is made easier by the Torkham crossing, which serves as a vital commerce route between the two nations. Another important route for transportation is the Karakoram Highway, which links Gilgit-Baltistan with Islamabad.[4][5]
According to a statement from the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Disaster Management Authority, a landslide on the main road leading to the Torkham border crossing between Pakistan and Afghanistan crushed 15 to 20 cargo cars at around 02:00.[6] The incident has seriously hampered connectivity, trade, and transit between the two nations.[3]