Ladakh avalanche: 7 killed, 5 injured near zero point
At least seven people were killed, and five were injured after passenger vehicles they were travelling in were hit by a massive avalanche near zero point on the route from Zojila to Sonamarg on Friday.
According to preliminary reports, a large volume of snow suddenly came crashing down, engulfing several vehicles passing through the high-altitude stretch near zero point, Zojila.
Soon after the incident, rescue teams rushed to the site and launched an operation to retrieve the bodies and clear the debris.
Chief Executive Councillor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Kargil, Dr Jaffar Akhoon, who is present at the spot along with Kargil administration officers, said five bodies had been recovered so far. Five dead bodies have been retrieved from the snow and shifted to Sub District Hospital Drass,” he told a local news agency.
Lieutenant Governor, UT of Ladakh, Vinai Kumar Saxena, said on X that he heard the unfortunate news of an avalanche at Zojila.
“I have directed the DC and SSP of Kargil to visit the spot immediately and mobilise relief and rescue operations,” he said, adding that all Government agencies, including disaster relief forces and BRO have been put on high alert. “I am personally monitoring the situation,” the LG said.
