Chinese rescuers on January 20 found eight more bodies of victims of an avalanche three days earlier in Tibet, bringing the total number of confirmed deaths to 28.
| Rescuers work at the scene. Photo: Xinhua News Agency. |
South China Morning Post said the avalanche occurred at regarding 8 pm on January 17 (local time). Tons of snow and ice suddenly collapsed on the road between Pai village in Mainling district and Doxong La tunnel entrance in Medog district, Nyingchi city, Tibet.
Theo CCTV, most of the victims are locals who are returning home during the holidays. Most deaths are due to hypothermia and lack of oxygen.
“The snow is very deep, waist high. The road is also very slippery. Many rescuers have tripped,” a medical worker told Global Times.
About 50 people were rescued in the incident. Of these, five were seriously injured. With all the missing people found, the rescue operation is almost complete.
Nearly 1,350 rescuers from fire forces, forest rangers, army, militia and local officials were dispatched to the scene to assist in the rescue work. 236 vehicles were also mobilized.
Using machines, rescuers dug a 7.5km road near the avalanche area, as well as cleared snow from another 10.5km road leading to the scene.
Avalanches are not uncommon in the Himalayan region, especially as extreme weather events are becoming more frequent. In October 2022, at least 26 people from a climbing group were killed in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, which borders Tibet.