Abdullahpur underpass: 5 missing after landslide near project site

Landslide was a result of a canal breach, due to which around 220 cusec water has accumulated at the site.

FAISALABAD: At least five people were buried alive on Saturday because of landsliding caused by a canal breach near an underpass project at Abdullahpur Chowk, Faisalabad.

The late Friday night canal breach caused the collapse of banks of Rakh Branch Canal, a site very close to the project’s location.  The canal breach has a width of 20 to 30 feet, due to which around 220 cusec water has accumulated at the project site.

According to initial reports, the victims have been identified as Akhtar Majeed 30, Muhammad Atif 22, Muhammad Qadeer 18, Mehmood Ahmad 30 and Muhammad Junaid. All of them were the residents of Tariqabad.

Eyewitnesses also claimed that two children were also buried beneath the heap, however no official source confirmed it.

The mega project worth Rs1.1 billion was started on special instruction of Chief Minister Punjab Shahbaz Sharif. The construction was scheduled to be completed in the current month, however, slow progress has delayed the completion.

Provincial Secretary Communication and Works (C&W) Azam Suleman had expressed dissatisfaction to the project contractor and the local supervising staff.