Major avalanche hits Sikkim’s Nathula border area; 7 tourists dead, 23 rescued, 350 brought back to Gangtok

The avalanche hit the arterial Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, which connects the state capital Gangtok to Nathu La at the China border, around 11.30 am on Tuesday.

Sikkim Avalanche: At least 7 tourists were killed while several others were injured after a major avalanche hit northeastern state Sikkim’s Nathu La border region on Tuesday. The avalanche struck the arterial Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, which connects the state capital Gangtok to Nathu La at the China border, around 11.30 am, trapping five-six vehicles with around 30 people under the snow, the Army said in a statement. 23 people were rescued, including six tourists from a deep valley, a state government official said. The injured were admitted to different hospitals in Gangtok, around 55 km away.

The rescue operation was called off in the evening due to inclement weather. PM Modi said he hopes the injured recover soon. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Centre was closely monitoring the situation. Nathu La, situated at 14,450 feet above sea level, is one of the three open trading border posts between India and China. The tourists were not permitted to travel beyond Milestone 13 due to inclement weather, but they forced the tour operators and the drivers to take them to the area — between Milestones 13 and 17 — where the avalanche struck, a police officer said.

Some 350 people in 80 vehicles, stranded on the road because of the snow, were brought back to Gangtok after the snow was cleared in the afternoon, officials said. Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang condoled the deaths and said that he was praying for the speedy recovery of those injured.

Saddened by the incident, says Sikkim CM

Sikkim avalanche | “I am saddened by the incident. Rescue work was carried out by State and NDRF officials. Seven people died & we’re trying to ascertain where they are from. If there are more stranded tourists, we’ll carry out the rescue operation again tomorrow,” says Sikkim CM… pic.twitter.com/XFpIcuBK1D

— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2023

I am saddened by the incident. Rescue work was carried out by State and NDRF officials. Seven people died and we’re trying to ascertain where they are from. If there are more stranded tourists, we’ll carry out the rescue operation again tomorrow, said Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang.

“All the injured, be they from any state, will be treated for free. Even the deceased will be taken to their residence… We have started the helpline number. We’ll come to know how many were tourists, how many died & how many were hospitalized, by tomorrow. It’s already night and it will be tough to ascertain. There could be 2-3 more who may be trapped, we will try to rescue them,” CM said.

22 tourists rescued

Sikkim | 22 tourists rescued after avalanche strikes at 14th mile on Jawaharlal Nehru road connecting Gangtok with Nathula; rescue operation underway, says BRO.

350 stranded tourists and 80 vehicles were rescued after snow clearance from the road. pic.twitter.com/xJAnNR09Bv

— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2023

At least 22 tourists have been rescued after avalanche strikes on Jawaharlal Nehru road connecting Gangtok with Nathula. The rescue efforts are still underway.

News Sources – India Tv News