Avalanche on Zojila Pass Kills 7, Injures 5 in Jammu and Kashmir/Ladakh Highway

Srinagar. Seven people have died and five others were seriously injured in an avalanche on the Zojila Pass, which connects Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, according to news agency PTI. The avalanche occurred on Friday afternoon between Zero Point and Minimarg on the Zojila Pass.

Several vehicles were buried when a large mass of snow suddenly fell while vehicles were traveling through the high-altitude Himalayan region. Significant human loss occurred when the snow engulfed the vehicles moving on the road. Rescue teams immediately began searching for those trapped in the snow following the incident.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed deep sorrow over the incident, calling it extremely tragic. He offered condolences to the families of the deceased and wished a speedy recovery to the injured. 

Similarly, Union Minister Jitendra Singh also expressed grief over the incident and informed that necessary assistance and treatment arrangements have been made for the injured.

Recently, such risks have been increasing due to changes in weather and heavy snowfall in the high Himalayan regions. Efforts are currently underway to clear the accumulated snow on the highway and reopen the blocked road.