4 killed by avalanche in G-B

GILGIT: At least four people were killed after an avalanche hit them early Wednesday in the Domail area of Gilgit-Baltistan’s Astore Valley.

According to unconfirmed reports, the deceased men were army soldiers. Another 22 people were also buried under the snow and slush – they were, however, rescued later.

There was no confirmation from the Inter-Services Public Relations.

Four individuals, hit by snow slides in the Domail area on Tuesday, embraced Shahadat, the ISPR Gilgit office said without identifying the victims.

Meanwhile, AFP citing police sources reported that avalanches triggered by unusually heavy snowfall killed at least six people also in Indian-administered Kashmir, as flimsy buildings caved in across the Himalayan valley.

The dead included two Indian soldiers, who were crushed by snow in Kargil, while four others were killed by avalanches in the south of the state, according to Superintendent Imtiyaz Hussain.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 13^th, 2014.