Seven tourists killed after massive avalanche hits Nathu La in Sikkim

Gangtok: Seven tourists were killed as a massive avalanche hit Sikkim’s Nathu La area on Tuesday morning, burying their vehicles under the snow, officials said.
The avalanche hit the art-erial Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, which connects Gangtok to Nathu La at the China border, around 11.30am, trapping five-six vehicles with around 30 people under the snow, the Army said in a statement.
Till 4pm, seven bodies were brought out of the snow and 23 people were rescued alive, including six tourists from a deep valley, a state government official said, quoting reports from the Army. Among those dead are a woman and a child, he said.
Search operations in the area are underway by the Army, state disaster management teams and police to find if any other person is trapped, officials said.
Those injured were admitted to different hospitals in Gangtok, around 55km away, they said.
Union home minister Amit Shah said the Centre was closely monitoring the situation, and the teams of the NDRF will reach the area — between Milestones 13 and 17 — soon. “My sincerest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in the tragic avalanche in Sikkim. We are closely monitoring the situation and the teams of NDRF will reach the affected area soon. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured,” he tweeted.
Nathu La, situated at 14,450ft above the sea level, is one of the three open trading border posts between India and China. It is a major tourist destination because of its scenic beauty.
The tourists were not permitted to travel beyond Milestone 13 due to inclement weather, but they forced the tour operators and the drivers to take them to the area where the incident happened, a police officer said.
The road has been opened for traffic by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) as the snow was cleared, the Army said. Some 350 people in 80 vehicles, stranded on the road because of the snow, were being brought back to Gangtok, officials said.
Chief minister Prem Singh Tamang condoled the deaths, and said that he was praying for the speedy recovery of those injured. “My heart goes out to the bereaved family and friends in this hour of grief and I pray that the departed souls rest in eternal peace,” Tamang said.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said he was deeply distressed by the news of the avalanche and expressed grief over the loss of lives. “My thoughts are with the victims of this terrible tragedy, and their families. Wishing all the best to the teams involved in the rescue mission,” he said in a Facebook post.
Chief minister Mamata Banerjee said she was deeply pained by the tragedy. “Owing to the avalanche, the nation has lost several precious lives. I offer my sincerest condolences to the bereaved families and pray for the speedy recovery of those who were injured. Praying for the safety and security of all,” she tweeted. pti