Nine killed in Skardu avalanche

GILGIT: At least nine people were killed and as many injured when an avalanche hit a remote village in Skardu on Friday morning, officials said.

The incident happened in the Mominpa village of Kharmang, sources told The Express Tribune by telephone from Skardu. A huge avalanche slammed into the village, burying seven houses under tons of snow, they added.

Local volunteers rushed to the spot to help with rescue and relief activities. They pulled out nine bodies from the rubbles of the houses.

Another nine people were rescued. They were shifted to the Civil Hospital in Totli for treatment of their injuries.

Authorities have also sent a team of doctors to Kharmang to provide medical treatment to the injured.

Last week, a group of pedestrians was also caught in an avalanche in Skardu. One of them was killed and seven were wounded in the incident. Landslides and avalanches are frequent in Gilgit-Baltistan region.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 5^th, 2010.