A pastor died when an earth mound collapsed during the expansion of a Christian church in Hatton.

A Christian pastor has unfortunately lost his life in a landslide accident that occurred in the Periya Nadiyavatta section of Glentilt Estate, which falls under the Hatton Maskeliya Police Division. Maskeliya Police Station OIC S.

S. Pushpakumara stated that the accident occurred yesterday (30) around 5:30 PM.

This unexpected accident occurred while work was underway to cut and prepare the land to further expand the Christian church located in the area. While the ground level was being prepared, a large mound of earth nearby suddenly collapsed, burying the pastor who was working at the site.

Following the accident, residents and rescue teams immediately sprang into action and, after a strenuous effort, managed to rescue the pastor who was trapped under the soil. He was then admitted to Maskeliya District Hospital in a serious condition, and unfortunately passed away while receiving treatment in the intensive care unit.

The deceased has been identified as 41-year-old pastor Rajendran Gopinath, who served at the Christian church located in the Periya Nadiyavatta Estate. Maskeliya Police are conducting further investigations into the death of the pastor, who was a father of one.