At least six women died and 18 others were injured when a small crag collapsed and buried them while they were collecting white clay soil (Kamero Mato) in Ward No. 2 of Belgahi VDC in the southern district of Mahottari Monday morning.

Some two-dozen women were extracting Kamero Mato at Maraha Khola when the incident took place. Security forces had rescued some of the women, reports from the district said. One 8-yr-old girl was among the dead.

Four seriously wounded women have been admitted at Janakpur Zonal Hospital for treatment.

White clay soil is used in painting houses ahead of Dashain festival in rural Terai.