The death toll from the July 7 landslide at the Anakkompoyil-Meppadi tunnel project in Kerala’s Wayanad district has risen to five after rescue teams recovered two more bodies on July 9.
One body was found in the search zone, while the other was recovered from a nearby river.
Search operations are continuing in designated zones and along the river, with three people still missing.
Kerala Ministers A.P. Anil Kumar and T. Siddique said the recovered bodies would undergo post-mortem examinations before being embalmed.
Of the 10 people injured, three have been discharged, four remain hospitalised in stable condition and three are in intensive care.
The state government has ordered a scientific investigation into the cause of the landslide.
Authorities said legal action would be taken if negligence or violations by the contractor are established. The contractor has denied responsibility, attributing the disaster to heavy rainfall and challenging terrain. The tunnel project is intended to improve connectivity between Wayanad and Kozhikode districts.
Rescue teams remain on high alert as adverse weather continues to hamper operations.
