A sudden landslide in Gilgit’s Danyor area killed eight local volunteers on Monday as they worked to repair a flood-damaged water channel, according to rescue officials.

The volunteers had been clearing and reinforcing the Danyor Nullah, a key watercourse damaged in recent monsoon flooding, when a massive wall of earth and rock collapsed without warning. Witnesses reported that the slide engulfed several workers almost instantly.

Rescue teams, supported by local residents, managed to pull four survivors from the debris—each in critical condition—while several others sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals. Emergency services remain on high alert as searches continue for anyone still trapped.

A Dangerous Season for Northern Pakistan

Northern Pakistan is no stranger to landslides, especially during monsoon season when heavy rains loosen mountain slopes. The volunteers’ work was part of ongoing community-led efforts to restore essential infrastructure after recent floods disrupted water supply and road access.

Road Links Restored Amid Ongoing Hazards

Elsewhere, the National Highway Authority (NHA) reopened the road at KM 161 in Jalkhad after clearing another landslide, restoring a vital travel link for residents and transporters. Officials also announced a temporary rebuild of the Looshi Bridge, which had been washed away by rains, allowing traffic to resume.

In Tatta Pani, where a landslide had re-blocked a road that was only cleared two days earlier, workers have once again reopened the route. Authorities warn that more blockages remain possible as unstable slopes persist across the region.