Landslide Kills At Least 52 Villagers In Northeastern Afghanistan

Mud from a landslide caused by flooding Baghlan province in June 9, 2014.

Officials in northeastern Afghanistan say at least 52 people have been killed by a massive landslide in a remote part of Badakhshan Province.

The landslide occurred at the village of Jurm-e Bala, in the province's Khwahan District, early on April 28.

Local officials told RFE/RL that more 200 residents have fled the village, which is in an area covered by melting snow that can only be reached by helicopter.

Rescue efforts were being hampered by difficulties reaching the village.

Flooding and landslides are common in northeastern Afghanistan during the spring thaw, when torrential rains are common.

In May 2014 in Badakhshan Province, a landslide that buried the village of Aab Bareek beneath 50 meters of rock and mud was followed by a second landslide that killed rescuers from a nearby village.

The death toll from that tragedy remains unknown, but has been estimated between 350 and 2,700.

With reporting by AP and AFP