Astore District, Gilgit Baltistan – A devastating snow avalanche struck Astore district on Saturday, resulting in the loss of at least nine lives and leaving 25 others injured, according to officials.
Tufail Mir, the Deputy Inspector General of Police for Diamer-Astore Division, informed Dawn.com that the avalanche occurred near Shunter Pass during the early hours of the day, tragically claiming the lives of nine individuals. Among the deceased were three women.
Rescue teams faced significant challenges in reaching the affected area due to its remote location and treacherous terrain, exacerbating the difficulties caused by communication issues.
Muhammad Riaz, a local police official, stated that residents were taking the lead in the rescue operation due to the area’s challenging accessibility.
Commissioner Altamash Janjua of Diamer-Astore Division reported that one body had been recovered, and 11 injured individuals were being transported to the district headquarters hospital for treatment. He added that the injured were currently out of danger.
Expressing profound grief over the loss of lives, GB Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid Khan directed local authorities to initiate immediate rescue operations. He also called upon the Secretary of Interior, the Director General of GBDMA (Gilgit Baltistan Disaster Management Authority), and other officials to promptly investigate the incident.
Additionally, GB Chief Secretary Mohiuddin Wani confirmed that rescue teams had been dispatched to the affected area in compliance with the chief minister’s instructions.