Team News Riveting
Islamabad, May 27
At least 11 people have been killed while 13 others sustained injuries in a snow avalanche that hit Astore district in Gilgit Baltistan province of Pakistan on Saturday.
The GB Disaster Management Authority (GBDMA) said eight dead bodies had been retrieved so far. The incident took place around 4 pm on Friday. “At the time of the incident, 25 people of Gujjar family […] were travelling along with [their] cattle from Kashmir to Astore and were hit by the avalanche,” the authorities said.
A massive operation was launched by the district administration and the local community for retrieving the remaining bodies. The GBDMA said the injured had been taken to District Headquarters (DHQ) Hospital Astore and 12 of them were in critical condition.
The authorities said rescue teams were facing challenges in reaching the affected area due to its remote location and difficult terrain besides poor light. However, Force Command Northern Areas, a military formation of the Pakistan Army, provide helicopter service, relief items and paramedical staff to assist with the rescue operation. Unfortunately, it could not take off “to the site due to bad weather conditions”.
Necessary relief items including tents and food packs, have been provided by GBDMA and DDMA (district disaster management authority) and line agencies.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed grief over the loss of lives in the incident.
