Seven dead, 27 rescued after avalanche hits Sikkim’s Nathu La

State disaster management team and local police are involved in the search and rescue mission

State disaster management team and local police are involved in the search and rescue mission. Photo: Special Arrangement

Seven people were killed while 20 others have been rescued after five or six vehicles along with 20-30 tourists were hit by an avalanche near Nathu La in East Sikkim on Tuesday morning. Search and rescue efforts were called off after another avalanche at the same location at 5.35 p.m., officials said.

“At about 11.30 a.m., a massive avalanche hit the Gangtok-Nathu La road near MS-15 (between Mile 13 and Mile 17). Approximately five-six vehicles along with 20-30 tourists on way to Nathu La are feared to have been stuck under the snow,” defence officials said. “So far, 27 persons were rescued and taken to nearby Army medical facility. However, seven persons succumbed.”

The other 20 were administered first aid and returned to Gangtok, officials said. Army, State disaster management team and local police are involved in the search and rescue mission.

However, after another slide at 5.35 p.m. and with snowing making the rescue operations dangerous, the DC has decided to call off the search and rescue efforts due to fear of more slides, officials stated. The JNM Axis between Gangtok to Nathu La is closed now due to the slide.

The strength of Army columns which participated in the rescue operations is 10 officers, 10 Junior Commissioned Officers and 220 soldiers.

5 to 6 vehicles and around 30 tourists were hit by an avalanche at Nathu La in East Sikkim

Many of the rescued were administered first aid and returned to Gangtok, officials said. Army, State disaster management team and local police are involved in the search and rescue mission.

“Rescue and clearance operations are still on,” a senior police official here said.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the government is closely monitoring the situation. “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,” Mr. Shah tweeted.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh also expressed his condolences. “Saddened by the loss of precious lives due to an avalanche in East Sikkim. Search and Rescue Ops are being carried out by the Indian Army, SDRF and other agencies. My deepest condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the speedy recovery of the injured,” he wrote in a tweet.

The road has since been opened for traffic by Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

Nathu La, one of the most important Himalayan passes in the country, is situated on the border with China and is a major tourist destination because of its scenic beauty. It is over 55 kilometres from Gangtok.

The avalanche, which occurred early morning at the 14th milestone on Jawaharlal Nehru Marg connecting Gangtok and Nathula, had trapped 25-30 tourists, according to defence sources.

Seven persons who were rescued were administered first aid and returned to Gangtok, officials said. Photo: Special Arrangement

Some 350 people and 80 vehicles, which were stranded on the road because of the snow blocking the road from Nathu La, were also brought back, officials said.

Nathu La, situated on the international border 14,450 feet above sea level, is one of the three open trading border posts between India and China.

(With PTI inputs)