At least seven people were reportedly killed and several injured as more than 20 Kargil bound vehicles were trapped under an avalanche at the Zojila Pass in Ladakh on Friday. Among the killed was a child and a woman, reports said.
Reports said that condition of four of the injured was serious. The injured have been shifted to the hospitals at Drass and Sonamarg.
However, official confirmation about the casualties was awaited.
These vehicles were on their way towards Kargil when a massive avalanche hit them near the Zojila Pass.
SDRF Kashmir said that an avalanche struck Zojila Pass, leaving several vehicles stranded along the Gumri-Zojila axis. Teams from SDRF Gund, Ganderbal, along with J&K Police and CRPF, are actively engaged in evacuating the stranded vehicles.
Lt. Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena is personally monitoring the situation.
He wrote on X; “Tragic news coming from ZojiLa pass. Dozens are vehicles bound to Kargil trapped under snow avalanche. Rescue operations underway by @BROindia & District Administration Kargil.
LG Ladakh: Heard the unfortunate news of an avalanche at Zoji La. I have directed the DC & SSP of Kargil to visit the spot immediately and mobilise relief and rescue operations. All government agencies including disaster relief forces and BRO have been put on high alert”.