According to authorities, a big avalanche hit the upper regions of Jammu and Kashmir’s ski resort Gulmarg on Wednesday, killing two Polish tourists and trapping 21 skiers who were later rescued.
Three teams of 21 international nationals and two local guides were on the ski slopes in Hapatkhud Kangdori when the avalanche hit about 12.30 p.m., according to police officials.
The bodies of the two Polish citizens were found and transported to a hospital for medical and legal examinations. The other 19 persons who were stuck in the snowy heights of the Afarwat region, which is famous for its ski slopes and is visited by hundreds of visitors every winter, were rescued by Baramulla district police forces.
They were transferred to secure quarters near Gulmarg.
Several people witnessed the event.
“We witnessed the death dance in front of our eyes. A 20-foot wall of ice collapsed on the skiers, burying them. It’s all about the wrath of nature “Deepak Chinchore, an All India Congress Committee member from Karnataka who happened to be nearby, told PTI.
The cable car that transports tourists up the 14,000-foot Afarwat mountain was deployed for rescue operations, according to officials.
“Avalanche hit the Afarwat peak #HapathKhud at the popular #Gulmarg ski resort. #BaramullaPolice, in collaboration with other authorities, has initiated a #rescue operation. Some reports of trapped skiers are being confirmed. More information will be provided later “Soon after the event, a representative for the Baramulla district police announced on Twitter.
Videos of the avalanche, which showed people fleeing for their lives, went viral on social media.
