SRINAGAR: A Russian skier has lost his life following a massive avalanche in Gulmarg, a ski resort town in North Kashmir today. The avalanche impacted seven Russian skiers, with six successfully rescued.
Choppers were mobilised for search and rescue efforts. A substantial avalanche struck the higher regions of Gulmarg today near the Kongdoori inclines, as per officials. The international visitors had ventured onto the ski slopes unaccompanied by local guides.
The Army personnel, SDRF, J&K Police and a patrol unit from the Jammu and Kashmir administration were summoned to conduct search and rescue operations.
FLASH : 7 Russian skiers were stuck in the avalanche. 1 dead, 1 injured. Still searching.
Helicopters have been deployed for the rescue of skiers stuck in the Gulmarg avalanche.
Reports : @MakhdoomiEmaad#Gulmarg #Kashmir pic.twitter.com/kK51lmTkDL
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) February 22, 2024
Images from the aftermath of the avalanche reveal visitors stranded in snow up to their knees, with a civilian helicopter circling the vicinity. A snowmobile, commonly employed by tourists for adventure sports in Gulmarg, is trapped in the snow, concealing the slope following the avalanche.
FLASH : Avalanche strikes in Gulmarg. One skier confirmed dead, another injured, and several others are currently missing. Additional details are pending.#Gulmarg
Reports : @MakhdoomiEmaad pic.twitter.com/RVNVMuuniv
— The New Indian (@TheNewIndian_in) February 22, 2024
Earlier in the current month, a substantial avalanche hit the Sonamarg region along the Srinagar-Leh Highway. Authorities mentioned that the avalanche occurred close to the construction site of the Zojila tunnel in Sonamarg. Fortunately, no harm was reported in the incident.
Officials issued a warning about avalanches in the elevated areas of the Kashmir Valley after substantial snowfall during the initial week of February.