Avalanche kills 7 tourists in Sikkim, 350 rescued

Gangtok (IANS) | At least seven tourists were killed when a massive avalanche hit a portion of the National Highway 310 in Sikkim on Tuesday. An officer gave this information. Defense sources said the Border Roads Organization (BRO) has been successful in rescuing at least 350 tourists stranded in the affected area due to the avalanche.

Defense spokesperson Lt Col Mahendra Rawat said the avalanche hit the Gangtok-Natu La Jawahar Lal Nehru road on National Highway 310. He said that about 30 tourists were going to Natu in 5-6 vehicles which got buried under snow.

Indian Army’s Trishakti Corps personnel and BRO personnel under ‘Project Swastik’ immediately swung into action, and launched an all-out rescue operation.

A total of 23 people were pulled out alive from the valley during the operation. After which he was admitted to the nearest medical facilities of the Indian Army.

Lt Col Rawat said, unfortunately seven tourists have died. Search and rescue operations are underway by the Army, State Disaster Management Team and police.

So far, 350 stranded tourists traveling in 80 vehicles have been rescued by clearing snow from the road. At present the rescue operation is going on. More details are awaited.