Seven people have died in a massive avalanche in the northeastern Indian state of Sikkim in the Himalayas. Rescuers fear that the number of victims may be higher, reports NDTV.
According to the source, the fears are based on information about several dozen people who are stuck under the snow and are waiting for help.
The avalanche descended around noon on the Jawaharlal Nehru road connecting the city of Gangtok with the Nathu La mountain pass, and “there is a child and a woman” among the dead.
Local media reported that there were at least 150 tourists in the area.
“23 tourists were rescued and taken to nearby Indian Army medical facilities. Unfortunately, seven people have died,” the authorities said in a statement.
“Rescuers fear that about 5-6 more cars, in which there are from 20 to 30 tourists, remained buried under the snow,” adds the Indian TV channel.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to the families of the victims on Twitter and said that he was saddened by the tragedy:
“Deeply upset by the news of the avalanche in Sikkim. Condolences to all those who lost their loved ones. I hope that the victims will recover soon. Rescue operations are underway, and all possible assistance is being provided to the victims,” the Prime Minister wrote.
Nathu La Pass, located at an altitude of 4310 meters above sea level, is located in the Himalayas, on the border with China, and is a massive tourist destination.
Video from the scene showed the scale of the tragedy. Dozens of people participated in the rescue operation, trying to dig out those who were trapped in the snow. In one video, a rescuer shovels snow as a half-buried man looks up as he waits to be pulled out of a snow trap.
The media added that another 350 tourists stuck in the snow were successfully rescued after clearing the road snow.