India, Aug. 16 -- Rescuers continued digging through thick mud and debris in a remote Jammu & Kashmir village on Friday in search of survivors as the toll from a flash flood that tore through the hamlet a day earlier rose to 60 with several still missing, officials said.

Hundreds of personnel from security forces and disaster-relief agencies were scouring Chishoti village in Kishtwar district after torrential rain triggered a deluge that swept away a community kitchen and multiple structures along the route of an annual pilgrimage.

"The loss of lives is heart breaking. According to the information received, some 60 people have lost their lives, and many more are missing. We do not know their exact figure," J&K chief minister Omar Abdull...