At least two people have died and dozens more are feared trapped after a massive landslide tore through a construction site.
Terrifying CCTV footage shows workers sprinting for their lives across a bridge as a wall of mud thundered down a road behind them.
Moments later, the torrent smashed through the area, uprooting trees and scattering lorries like bowling pins.
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Several people were seen stumbling as they fled, while others were knocked off their feet as the mudslide rapidly closed in.
In one dramatic moment, the sludge stopped just short of sweeping a tanker into a man and woman who had fallen during the chaos.
The man was then seen helping the woman back to her feet before the pair walked away covered in mud.
The disaster struck earlier today (7 July) in Kalladi, in Kerala’s Wayanad district, India, as reported by Need To Know.
A road tunnel was under construction nearby, and local reports suggest at least 30 workers could still be buried beneath the debris.
Emergency crews have launched a major search and rescue operation, but efforts are being hampered by heavy rain and thick mud.
The landslide is believed to have been triggered by torrential monsoon rainfall.
Work on the tunnel project had already been suspended because of the severe weather conditions.
Kerala Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan claimed contractors had failed to remove large amounts of soil piled up near the site, which may have contributed to the disaster.
Kerala Health Minister K. Muraleedharan said two people have so far been confirmed dead.
The victims are believed to have been workers from outside the state.
Eight injured workers, aged between 27 and 39, have been rescued alive from the debris near their temporary accommodation and taken to hospital.
Senior officials connected to the construction project are among seven people reported missing.
Wayanad and neighbouring Calicut district remain under a red weather alert amid warnings of extremely heavy rain and strong winds.
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