Leh, Jan 18: In a joint press statement given by DC Leh Avny Lavasa and SSP Leh Sargun Shukla, it was stated that they received information at 7:00 am today of an avalanche happened near Khardong-la top at in which some people were feared buried under the snow.
Rescue teams of SDRF and JKP were rushed to the spot where rescue work started with the assistance of Indian Army and GREF. So far at 1700 hours five bodies have been recovered under the snow and a tripper which has slipped under 500 mtrs below the point of incident. She added that these bodies have been shifted to mortuary of SNM hospital and three bodies have been identified so far. Proceedings under 174 CRPC has been initiated.
State government has announced relief of Rs. 5 lakh to the families of deceased. All possible steps are being taken to recover the victims and rescue operations will continue at first light tomorrow. DC and SSP also went to Khardong-la and visited the avalanche hit spot to take stock of the accident and supervise the rescue operations.
