At Least 4 People Killed and 50 Rescued After Avalanche Buried Them Under Snow and Debris as Search Continues for Missing

At least 4 people have tragically lost their lives, 50 individuals have been successfully rescued, and 5 others remain unaccounted for following a devastating avalanche that struck in India. The incident took place near Mana village in the northern state of Uttarakhand, close to the Tibet border, where a GREF Camp was hit by the avalanche, trapping numerous construction workers.

The Indian Army swiftly initiated rescue operations in response to the calamity. Reports indicated that 50 people were initially rescued from the avalanche site, but unfortunately, 4 of them succumbed to their injuries. Currently, 5 construction workers are still missing, and the search efforts are ongoing, with hopes of locating them alive.

Images shared by the Indian Army showcased the arduous rescue mission, depicting soldiers navigating through thick layers of snow to reach the affected site. The photographs revealed the valiant efforts of army personnel carrying injured workers on stretchers, providing them with urgent medical attention.

Despite facing adverse weather conditions and continuous snowfall, the Indian Army persisted in their rescue mission, with dedicated doctors on-site conducting critical life-saving surgeries for the injured individuals. Various advanced tools such as specialized recco radars, UAVs, quadcopters, and avalanche rescue dogs were employed to aid in the search for survivors.

Helicopters were deployed incessantly to transport essential equipment, resources, and to evacuate the injured victims. Medical personnel worked tirelessly to transfer the rescued individuals from helicopters to medical tents, where they received necessary medical care, including stitching wounds and providing other treatments.

Uttarakhand state chief minister, Pushkar Singh Dhami, reassured the public that rescue teams were fully committed to relief efforts following the avalanche. The safety and well-being of the impacted workers remained the top priority, with coordinated efforts from the administration, army, and SDRF teams to provide necessary assistance.

The frigid conditions at the avalanche site, with temperatures plummeting to around 10°F, added to the challenging rescue operation. Gaurav Kunwar, a former village council member of Mana, shared insights that the affected area is primarily inhabited by seasonal workers and transient laborers, with minimal permanent population residing there.

Amidst the tragedy, support and solidarity poured in from various quarters, highlighting the resilience and collaborative spirit of the rescue teams. Efforts to locate the missing individuals continued fervently, underscoring the unwavering determination to ensure the safety and well-being of all affected by the catastrophic avalanche.