Accidents & Disasters – Newsletter for January 16, 2011

Sunday, January 16, 2011

Illegal arms factory busted in Meerut

LUCKNOW – An illegal arms factory was busted in Uttar Pradesh’s Meerut district, leading to the arrest of two men involved in supplying firearms to various states of the country, police said Sunday.

The illegal arms factory was unearthed late Saturday in Pahsuma area following a joint operation by the district police and the special … Read more »».

Rare eye surgery performed on arrow-hit Tripura girl

AGARTALA – Doctors in Kolkata have performed a rare operation and saved the life of an 18-year-old Tripura girl who was struck in her left eye by an iron arrow which pierced through 4 mm of the rearmost part of her skull.

According to the girl’s family members, the 28 cm arrow abruptly hit Itu … Read more »»».

Sabarimala tragedy: probe begins, police insist security adequate

VANDIPERIYAR – The accident site was still strewn with victims’ belongings and offerings to Lord Ayyappa Sunday as police began its probe into the stampede near Kerala’s Sabarimala temple that claimed 102 lives. Quashing reports of inadequate security, police insisted that 279 personnel were deployed in the area.

The Crime Branch led by Superintendent … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Sabarimala tragedy: probe begins, police insist security adequate.

Man held with peacock carcasses in Uttar Pradesh

LUCKNOW – A man was arrested with carcasses of peacocks – India’s national bird – while three of his accomplices managed to escape in Uttar Pradesh’s Faizabad district, police said Sunday.

Ram Avtar was nabbed Saturday night from Chauri Bazar area following a joint operation by forest officials and the district police.
“Two peacock carcasses …. Source article : Man held with peacock carcasses in Uttar Pradesh.

16 missing, 51 dead in Philippine bad weather

MANILA – Sixteen fishermen were missing Sunday in choppy seas in the Philippines as the death toll from accidents caused by bad weather rose to 51, the Office of Civil Defence said.

Seven fishermen were rescued from the capsized boat off Pandan town in the eastern province of Catanduanes, according to Benito Ramos, administrator of … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : 16 missing, 51 dead in Philippine bad weather.

Indonesian maid survives nine-storey fall in Singapore

SINGAPORE – An Indonesian maid survived a fall from her employer’s ninth-storey flat in Singapore, a media report said Sunday.

The 23-year old, who was not identified, was found Friday at the foot of the apartment block with bamboo poles and clothes beside her, indicating that she fell while trying to collect laundry, the Sunday …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Indonesian maid survives nine-storey fall in Singapore.

Amritsar bans Chinese kite-string after death, injuries

AMRITSAR – Authorities in Amritsar have banned the sale and use of a Chinese kite-string after it left one person dead and nearly half a dozen injured.

While Amritsar police have banned the sale and use of the kite-string in the city, the administration has banned its sale throughout the Amritsar district following the incidents.
… Read more »»».

Mirchpur violence: Jats continue to block rail tracks

JIND – Tension prevailed in Jind district Sunday as hundreds of Jat community members continued to block railway tracks near here for the second day, disrupting trains over their demand for a fresh CBI probe into the Mirchpur caste violence of last year in which two Dalits were killed.

Members of the Jat Mahapanchayat, …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Mirchpur violence: Jats continue to block rail tracks.

Two held in Delhi, one in Ghaziabad for Chandigarh heist

CHANDIGARH – Three members of a gang have been arrested from Delhi and Uttar Pradesh for the biggest heist in this city in which jewellery worth over Rs.10 crore ($2.2 million) was looted from a showroom, police said Sunday.

Chandigarh Police with their counterparts in Delhi arrested the three men of the Gore Khan gang … Read this article on Gaea Times at : Two held in Delhi, one in Ghaziabad for Chandigarh heist.

Mirchpur violence: Jats continue rail blockade

JIND – Hundreds of Jat community members continued to squat on railway tracks near here for the second day Sunday, disrupting train services over their demand for a fresh CBI probe into the Mirchpur caste violence last year.

The members of the Jat Mahapanchayat, including many women, have been sitting on the railway track … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Mirchpur violence: Jats continue rail blockade.

Woman ‘poses as man’ to trick women into having sex

LONDON – A British woman has been accused of pretending to be a man to have sexual contact with two female partners over a period of about nine years.

Samantha Brooks, 26, posing as a man called Lee Brooks, is even alleged to have proposed to one woman, the Daily Mail reported Saturday.
…. Source article on Gaea Times at : Woman ‘poses as man’ to trick women into having sex.

New floods hit southern Australia as north mops up

SYDNEY – More than 30 towns in southeastern Australia were hit with record floods Sunday as the north of the country mopped up from devastating floodwaters.

More than 3,000 people in towns across the State of Victoria were forced to leave their homes as floods rose to record levels, submerging 13,000 properties.
In Melbourne 8,000 …. Original article on Gaea Times at : New floods hit southern Australia as north mops up.

Brazil rains: Death toll rises to 610

Rio de Janeiro, Jan 16 (IANS/EFE) The death toll from the heavy downpour in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro has risen to 610, as the search for victims and survivors continued, according to the latest civil defence bulletin.

According to the latest figures, the floods and mudslides caused 274 deaths in Nova Friburgo … Read more >>>.

Six dead as plane crashes in Brazil

Rio de Janeiro, Jan 16 (IANS/EFE) A small plane crashed in a mountainous region of central Brazil, killing all six people on board, officials said.

The plane went down Friday night for unknown reasons near Senador Canedo town in Goias state, just 16 km from the landing strip, firefighters said Saturday.
The aircraft, a single-engine …. Source article on Gaea Times at : Six dead as plane crashes in Brazil.

Death toll in Brazil rains rises to 549

Rio de Janeiro, Jan 16 (IANS/EFE) The death toll from the heavy downpour in the Brazilian state of Rio de Janeiro has risen to 549, as the search for victims and survivors continued.

The regional government Saturday declared seven days of official mourning in honour of those who died.
Emergency operations focused on areas that … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Death toll in Brazil rains rises to 549.

Federer consults Laver over Queensland flood benefit

MELBOURNE – Tennis legend Rod Laver was the first name that came to Roger Federer’s mind when he learned of the floods which have devastated vast regions of the Australian state of Queensland.

“When I heard it hit the city of Rockhampton, I right away thought of Rod Laver,” defending Australian Open champion Federer said …. Original article on Gaea Times at : Federer consults Laver over Queensland flood benefit.

Rahul Gandhi to visit Sabarimala stampede site Sunday

VANDIPERIYAR – Congress general secretary Rahul Gandhi will Sunday visit the site of the stampede where 102 Sabarimala pilgrims died, party leaders said.

According to state Congress president Ramesh Chennithala, Gandhi, who is currently in the state on a private visit to attend the marriage of Prime Minister Manmohan Singhs additional private secretary R.Gopalakrishnans daughter …. Source article : Rahul Gandhi to visit Sabarimala stampede site Sunday.

Additional Sessions Judge Pinki (one name) sentenced all the six convicts to rigorous life imprisonment under the stringent Prevention of Terrorism Act (POTA) saying the … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Six terrorists get life term for plot to kidnap Sachin, Sourav (Second Lead).