NEW DELHI, Apr 4: At least seven people, including a child and a woman, were killed and scores of others injured while about 150 people are still feared trapped under snow after a massive avalanche hit Sikkim’s Nathu La mountain pass on Tuesday afternoon.
“23 tourists rescued till 4 PM including 6 from deep valley and shifted to nearby medical facilities of Indian Army. Unfortunately, seven persons have succumbed,” the Army said in a statement. Approximately 5-6 vehicles along with 20-30 tourists on way to Nathu La are feared to have been stuck under the snow, said the Army.
A lady was rescued after 1.5 hours of being buried under snow, the Border Road Organisation said. She is currently being treated at the STNM Hospital in Gangtok. About 350 tourists and 80 vehicles, which were stranded on the road because of the snow, were also rescued.
The avalanche struck around 11.10 AM at 15th Mile in Jawaharlal Nehru road connecting Gangtok with Nathu La when at least 150 tourists were in the area. Nathu La Pass, at a height of 4,310 metres (14,140 feet) above sea level is one of the most important Himalayan passes in the country. Situated on the border with China, it is a major tourist destination because of its scenic beauty. It is over 55 kilometres from Gangtok, Sikkim’s capital city.
Videos from the site showed the magnitude of the tragedy. Dozens of people could be seen involved in rescue operations and trying to dig out those who are trapped. In one of the videos, someone is seen scooping up snow with a shovel as a man, half buried, looks up to be rescued.
Search and rescue mission for those missing is underway by the Army, State Disaster Management Team and Police. Around 350 stranded tourists have also been rescued after snow was cleared from the road.
(Manas Dasgupta)
