Page 664 - Disaster Accident
2 Amarnath pilgrims from Punjab killed in J&K accident
Two Amarnath pilgrims from Punjab were killed and six others injured in a road accident on Monday in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district, police said.
'Good news' expected in Thai cave rescue mission
Rescue workers dived deep inside a flooded Thai cave for a second straight day today in a treacherous bid to save a trapped group of young footballers, with the mission chief promising more "good news" after four of the 13 were saved. Yesterday's surprisingly quick extraction of the initial batch of four, who were guided out of a network of flooded tunnels by elite divers, fuelled optimism that the others would also be quickly rescued. "All the equipment is ready. Oxygen bottles are ready," rescue operations chief Narongsak Osottanakorn told reporters today after announcing the second phase of the rescue bid had begun. "In the next few hours we will have good news." Thais have been fixated on the crisis, hoping desperately for the safe return of the 12 boys and their 25-year-old football coach, after they ventured into the Tham Luang cave complex after practice and became trapped by rising waters on June 23. The saga has also dominated global headlines, with the team spending nine ...
Two Amarnath pilgrims killed in accident
Two Amarnath pilgrims died and five others were injured today in a road accident at Qazigund in Anantnag district of Jammu and Kashmir while a volunteer died due to cardiac arrest at Sheshnag, taking the death toll in this year's pilgrimage to 17. A private vehicle carrying four Amarnath pilgrims and the driver overturned at Zig Morh in Qazigund area while they were on their way to Srinagar from Jammu, a police official said. While one pilgrim, Surinder Sindha from Ludhiana, died on the spot, another pilgrim Vinod Kumar succumbed to injuries while he was being taken to a hospital. Five others -- four pilgrims and the driver of the vehicle - have been admitted to a hospital here, he said. Meanwhile, a 35-year-old sevadar (volunteer), who was working at a community kitchen at Sheshnag, died due to cardiac arrest, the official said adding the deceased was identified as Ajay, a resident of Meerut. With these, the death toll in this year's pilgrimage -- which began on 28 June -- has gone ..
Musk testing tiny submarine to help boys in cave
Elon Musk's Space X rocket company is testing a "kid-sized submarine" that could be sent to help boys trapped in a flooded Thailand cave. Musk posted videos on Twitter of the aluminum sub being tested at a swimming pool Sunday midafternoon California time. If the tests are successful, the sub would be placed on a 17-hour flight to Thailand. Four of the boys were rescued on Sunday, and authorities are now working to replenish air tanks along the cave's treacherous exit route. They say rescuing the eight remaining boys and their soccer coach could take up to four days. A spokesman for Musk's Boring Co. tunneling unit, which has four engineers at the cave, has said Thai officials requested the device, which could potentially help the children through narrow, flooded cave passageways.
Taiwan issues warning as Typhoon Maria approaches
Ferries were suspended and farmers rushed for last-minute harvests today as Taiwan braced for Typhoon Maria, with warnings of possible mudslides and flooding as the storm nears. Maria was 1,100 kilometres (684 miles) east-southeast of the capital Taipei with gusts of up to 200 kilometres an hour as of 2:30 pm local time (0630 GMT). Waves were starting to pound the island's north and east coasts with the weather bureau predicting the typhoon's impact would be strongest tomorrow night and Wednesday morning. "We urge the public to be vigilant and to cooperate with any preventative evacuation," interior minister Yeh Jiunn-rong said. No evacuations have taken place so far but Yeh warned that heavy rains posed the risk of floodwaters and mudslides. The defence ministry announced more than 30,000 soldiers would be on standby to help with disaster prevention. The typhoon would not make a direct hit if it continued on its current trajectory, which would see it skim Taiwan's northern tip, ...
24 killed in Turkey train mishap
At least 24 people were killed when five bogies of a passenger train derailed on Sunday in Turkey's northwestern Tekirdag province.The Anadolu News Agency quoted Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdag saying, "24 of our citizens have lost their lives (in the accident)."He added that search and rescue operations have been completed.The train was travelling from Edirne province to Istanbul when the mishap took place near Sarilar village.Initial reports suggested that 73 people were injured in the accident and are undergoing medical treatment.Earlier, Tekirdag Governor Mehmet Ceylan said the accident was due to heavy rains in the region.The Turkish transport ministry later clarified that the incident occurred after the railway track slipped down from its original spot due to the rains.Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan offered his condolences to the families of those killed in the accident and wished for a speedy recovery to the injured.He said that the train mishap is being ...
Rescue chief expects 'good news in a few hours' from Thai cave mission
The chief of an international mission to rescue nine members of a Thai football team still stuck inside a flooded cave today said he was expecting "good news" shortly. "All the equipment is ready. Oxygen bottles are ready... in next few hours we will have good news," Narongsak Osottanakorn told reporters, after announcing the second phase of the rescue bid had begun.
Russian cargo ship set for quick delivery of supplies to ISS
In a demonstration of expedited capability, a Russian cargo ship is readying itself to deliver supplies to the International Space Station (ISS) in less than four hours.
hina launches two satellites for Pakistan
China today successfully launched two remote sensing satellites for Pakistan, marking the first international commercial launch for the Long March-2C rocket in about 19 years. The satellites -- PRSS-1 and PakTES-1A --- were launched from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China at 11:56 a.m. Monday. The PRSS-1 is China's first optical remote sensing satellite sold to Pakistan and the 17th satellite developed by the China Academy of Space Technology (CAST) for an overseas buyer. A scientific experiment satellite, PakTES-1A, developed by Pakistan, was sent into orbit via the same rocket. This is another space cooperation between China and Pakistan since the launch of PAKSAT-1R, a communication satellite, in August 2011, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported. The PRSS-1 will be used for land and resources surveying, monitoring of natural disasters, agriculture research, urban construction and providing remote sensing information for the Belt and Road region. Today's ...
Massive fire rips through Bali port
A massive fire laid waste to dozens of boats at a Bali port today as firefighters battled to bring the dramatic blaze under control. The fire started around after midnight on the Indonesian holiday island and quickly engulfed nearly 40 local vessels but no injuries were reported, police said. "So far there are no casualties," Bali police spokesman Hengky Widjaja told AFP. Images from Benoa port, which sits next to the popular tourist hub of Kuta, showed flames shooting into the night sky and huge plumes of black smoke. Firefighters were still trying to put out the blaze by mid-morning. Crew member Supriyanto, who goes by one name, said he had been asleep on his vessel when he awoke to see the upper part of the boat on fire. The blaze quickly spread to nearby vessels including small cargo ships, he added. Several witnesses said they suspected the fire was started by an electrical malfunction, but authorities said they were still investigating the cause. Accidental blazes are common in .
Mumbai rains: Schools, colleges remain closed; downpour to continue
Schools and colleges remained closed in Mumbai on Monday as heavy rainfall lashed the city.Maharashtra Education Minister declared holiday today in all schools and colleges in Mumbai Metropolitan Region due to heavy rainfall.Earlier in the day, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) said that rains will continue to lash Mumbai and neighbouring areas for next few days. Heavy rainfall led to severe waterlogging in many areas affecting normal life in Mumbai.The Met department has further predicted that "heavy to very heavy rain" is likely to continue over Konkan and Goa.Waterlogging has been reported at several parts in Mumbai, including Palghar, Thane.The flood-like situation affected the railway services also. "Trains are being run at restricted speed at Nala Sopara due to water on railway tracks. There is no waterlogging anywhere else on Western Railway routes. Suburban services are functioning, " tweeted Western Railway.Meanwhile, a foot over bridge (FOB) at Kurla station is also
Japan floods toll increase to 104
The death toll from devastating floods resulting from torrential rains pounding Japan has increased to 104, with 56 others reported missing, authorities said on Monday.
China launches two satellites for Pakistan
China launched two satellites for Pakistan on a Long March-2C rocket on Monday.
Turkey train disaster leaves 24 dead, hundreds hurt
Twenty-four people were killed and hundreds injured when a train packed with weekend passengers derailed in northwest Turkey due to ground erosion afer heavy rains, officials said today. The train, with over 360 people on board, was travelling from the Edirne region on the Greek and Bulgarian borders to Istanbul's Halkali station on Sunday when six carriages derailed in the Tekirdag region. Deputy Prime Minister Recep Akdag said 24 people died, in a sharp rise from the previous toll of 10. The state-run Anadolu news agency quoted Akdag as saying search operations through the derailed train carriages had been completed Monday morning. Turkish media quoted Health Minister Ahmet Demircan as saying 338 people required hospital treatment after the accident with 124 still hospitalised. The transport ministry said that the train, carrying 362 passengers, had derailed as recent heavy downpours caused the ground beneath the track to erode away. Transport Minister Ahmet Arslan said that the ...
Thailand gears up for second day of cave rescue
Thai authorities on Monday were preparing for the second day of the rescue of the remaining nine boys trapped for more than two weeks in a cave in northern Thailand following a successful first operation in which four were taken out alive.
Japan floods: Toll reaches 85, 2mn forced to evacuate
The death toll from the devastating floods after record rains pounded Japan has increased to 85, with two million others forced to evacuate from their homes, authorities said on Monday.
Chopper crashes into US townhouse, 1 dead: reports
A helicopter crashed into a townhouse complex in the US state of Virginia, leaving one person dead and the building ripped apart and damaged by fire, according to local media. The incident occurred yesterday in Williamsburg, in the state's southeast and not far from Norfolk, which is home to a naval station which supports the US Navy's Atlantic Fleet. The Daily Press newspaper quoted Virginia State Police as saying there was "one confirmed fatality within the residential structure." AFP could not immediately reach the police for comment. WAVY-TV showed pictures of the low-rise residential complex, with much of its roof sheared off, exposing a gaping hole in the structure. The station quoted a witness as saying he heard a "big explosion," while others reported a helicopter flying low before the incident.
Japan flood: Death toll mounts to 88
At least 88 people have died so far and over 50 others are still missing as torrential rains in parts of Japan unleashed flood and landslide.Apart from this, around thousands of people have been displaced after their homes were destroyed in the natural calamity, reported the Japan Times.The rescue operations are underway in disaster-hit areas, while Japan's weather agency has warned of the continuing danger of landslides and flood.The normal life continues to be disrupted and the Business is severely hit by the downpours.Automaker Mazda Motor Corp. and Daihatsu Motor Co., have also suspended their operations in factories in Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Yamaguchi, keeping in mind the safety of the employees.The number of casualties is expected to rise as damage in affected areas unfolds.About 48,000 emergency responders from the police, fire department and defense forces are participating in the search-and-rescue operations, as per media reports."There are still many people missing and others
10 died in train derailment in Turkey
Ten people were killed and 73 others were wounded after five bogies of a passenger train derailed in Turkey's northwestern Tekirdag province.The Turkish Health Ministry confirmed the incident, which took place on Sunday to the Anadolu Agency.The train was travelling from Edirne province to Istanbul when the mishap took place near Sarilar village.362 passengers and six train staff were onboard at the time of the incident.At least 100 ambulances were sent to the scene, while the Ministry of Health dispatched air ambulances to the region.Turkey's presidential spokesperson and advisor Ibrahim Kalin took to Twitter to express condolence to the bereaved families and informed that all the relevant units were mobilized for the evacuation process.Meanwhile, Mehmet Ceylan, Tekirdag's Governor, said the accident took place due to the heavy rains in the region.
Ten killed, dozens injured in Turkey train derailment
Ten people were killed and 73 injured today when a train packed with weekend passengers derailed in northwest Turkey, the health ministry said. The train, with over 360 people on board, was travelling from the Edirne region on the Greek and Bulgarian borders to Istanbul's Halkali station when six of its carriages derailed in the Tekirdag region. Over 100 ambulances have been sent to the scene, state-run TRT Haber television said TRT Haber said, quoting Health Ministry Undersecretary Eyup Gumus. The Turkish army said in a statement that it had sent helicopters to the scene. Television pictures showed several train carriages laying on their sides, and shocked injured being taken away on stretchers as rescue workers picked through the wreckage. "There are a large number of injured and we have fatalities," Tekirdag governor Mehmet Ceylan told the NTV channel. "The accident happened because of adverse weather conditions," he added. Reports said the surrounding area was muddy due to recent .