Kerala: Landslide at tunnel site in Wayanad turns deadly, 1 killed, several trapped under debris, Horrifying CCTV Footage Surfaces

BY: DW

Publish: Tue, 7 Jul 2026 (15:49 IST) Updated: Tue, 7 Jul 2026 (15:51 IST)

One person was killed, and at least seven injured after a landslide in the southern state of Kerala's Wayanad district on Tuesday, media reports said.

According to Chief Minister VD Satheeshan, the landslide occurred near the Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi in Wayanad.

Satheeshan held an emergency meeting in the wake of the accident.

"Directions have been issued to coordinate rescue operations without delay," the chief minister posed on X. "Revenue Minister AP Anil Kumar and Agriculture Minister T Siddique have been directed to proceed to Wayanad immediately."

In the wake of the landslide near Meenakshi Bridge at Kalladi in #Wayanad, the government reviewed the situation. An emergency meeting was held with Agriculture Minister T. Siddique, who is from the district. Directions have been issued to coordinate rescue operations without…

— V D Satheesan (@vdsatheesan) July 7, 2026

Agriculture Minister T Siddique at the site said it was "not a natural landslide," calling the disaster "man-made ... due to an unscientific way of accumulating mud there."

Officials said more than 10 people may be trapped under the debris, news channel NDTV reported.

3 dead 7 reported missing after a landslide struck a tunnel construction site in Wayanad. A massive search-and-rescue operation involving the NDRF, Kerala Fire & Rescue Services, Police and district authorities is underway. Heavy machinery is being used to clear debris as teams… https://t.co/4zUH6PfXjc pic.twitter.com/48ibqR0cRv

— Ashish (@KP_Aashish) July 7, 2026

Media reports said there was work underway on a tunnel road project at the site of the landslide with the region seeing incessant rain over the past 24 hours. 

Local residents rescued at least three people from the site, media reports said.