“Jill and I offer our deepest condolences to all those affected by this devastating mudslide,” Biden said.
Washington:
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden have offered condolences to India over the devastating landslides in Wayanad, Kerala, which have claimed more than 300 lives.
“Jill and I extend our deepest condolences to all those affected by the devastating landslides in Kerala, India,” the White House said in an official statement.
“We offer our prayers to the victims of this tragic incident and our condolences are with the families who lost loved ones. We commend the bravery of the Indian soldiers and emergency personnel who are assisting with the complex recovery efforts. We keep the people of India in our thoughts during this difficult time,” the White House said.
The death toll in the landslide that hit the hills of Meppadi in Wayanad district due to incessant rains on July 30 has risen to 210, while the number of people discharged from hospitals has risen to 187, officials said on Friday.
Officials said 210 bodies and 134 body parts have been recovered so far, including those of 96 men, 85 women and 29 children.
Relatives have identified 146 bodies, and authorities have completed autopsies on 207 bodies and 134 body parts found at the crime scenes.
Officials said 84 people were undergoing treatment in hospitals in Wayanad, Kozhikode and Malappuram districts while 187 have been discharged.
273 people were taken to hospital from the scene.
Earlier today, Kerala Health Minister Veena George confirmed that 308 people had died in multiple landslides that hit Wayanad on July 30.
On July 30, two massive landslides occurred at Cholarmala and Mundakkai in Wayanad, causing widespread devastation and loss of life and property in the area.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
