Avalanche strikes Tibet, killing at least 20; China helping with rescue efforts

An avalanche in the city of Nyingchi in the southwestern region of Tibet has killed at least 20 people, municipal authorities said according to China's state media. Around eight more are still missing. The Chinese government is helping with rescue efforts and a team has been sent to oversee operation to recover bodies.

Xinhua News Agency reported that the avalanche occurred on a section of road between Pai village in Mainling county and the exit of the Doxong La tunnel in Medog county at around 8 pm local time on Tuesday. The avalanche has trapped people in their vehicles.

Authorities sent 131 people and 28 vehicles to the scene overnight, Global Times reported on Thursday. China's Ministry of Emergency Management has also dispatched a working group to Southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region.

Add WION as a Preferred Source

By Wednesday evening, emergency rescue headquarters had dispatched 246 rescuers, over 70 vehicles, 10 pieces of large-scale equipment and 994 search devices to excavate a rescue passage of 350 metres (1,000 feet), the report said.

Located at an average elevation of around 3,100 metres (9,300 feet), Nyingchi is considered "the Switzerland of Tibet" by many travellers.

Avalanches are a fairly common occurrence in the Himalayas. Last October, at least 26 people died as a mountaineering expedition was caught in an avalanche on Mount Draupadi ka Danda-II in India's northern state of Uttarakhand.

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.