2 min readVadodaraJun 19, 2026 12:02 PM IST
Two pilgrims were killed and five others grievously injured in Gujarat after a massive rockfall, triggered by heavy rainfall, struck a pilgrimage route near Patiyapul on Pavagadh Hill early on Friday.
Rescue operations are currently underway to remove the landslide debris and rescue those trapped underneath the boulders.
According to preliminary information, the landslide took place around 6 am when large boulders rolled down near Patiyapul, trapping several pilgrims who had arrived early for worship at the Kalika Mata temple.
The police saidthat the primary cause of the accident seems to be soil erosion and the sudden collapse of large rocks from the hillside, as the area has been receivingheavy rain for the past few days, resulting in the landslide and increased water flow on the hill.
Rescue teams from the ropeway service at Pavagadh rushed to the site immediately and retrieved two bodies. The police said the bodies have been sent for post-mortem. The five injured people have sustained multiple fractures, the police said, adding that they were provided emergency medical assistance and shifted to the Government Hospital in Halol.
The localpolice and Fire and Rescue Services Department, as well as the village sarpanch,joined the rescue efforts and coordinated with emergency responders at the scene. Officersof the Pavagadh police station havealso reached the location to assist in rescue operations and manage the situation.
According to preliminary information, the victims and injured persons are residents of Surat and Ahmedabad. However, officials saidthattheir identities and other details will be confirmed only after a thorough investigation.
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The incident has raised concerns about visitor safety arrangements in the Pavagadh Hill area, particularly with the onset of the monsoon. The pilgrimage destination at the summit of Pavagadh Hill sees lakhs of devotees arriving on important ritualistic days of the month, in all seasons.
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