Rescuers Still Searching for Avalanche Victims in Afghanistan

Posted on Feb 11, 2010

AP / Musadeq Sadeq

Afghan army members remove snow from an overturned vehicle Wednesday at the Salang Pass north of Kabul.

More than 165 people have been killed by a series of deadly snow avalanches in a mountain pass in northeast Afghanistan that trapped dozens of victims in their vehicles and sent others into the valley below on Monday. Rescuers were still digging and searching for possible survivors in the Salang Pass on Thursday.  —KA

BBC:

An army battalion backed up by heavy machinery and other digging equipment had been deployed to the pass for rescue and recovery work, a senior defence ministry official said.

He said that although the road has now been cleared, it remains closed to the public to allow for emergency efforts.

Rescuers are searching farther afield for victims in cars, trucks and buses that were pushed far off the road, officials say.

Some 2,500 people have been rescued so far.

Read more

More Below the Ad

New and Improved Comments

If you have trouble leaving a comment, review this help page. Still having problems? Let us know. If you find yourself moderated, take a moment to review our comment policy.