GANGTOK: An avalanche at 13th Mile on the Jawaharlal Nehru road connecting Gangtok with Nathula Pass at about 11:10 am on Tuesday has killed at least seven tourists, even as many more are still feared trapped in the snow.
As per the latest reports, another slide was experienced at the same place at 5.35 pm on Tuesday. Rescue and search operations have been halted for the day, Indian Army officials said. JNM Road Axis will remain closed till the snow clears. All personnel involved in the rescue mission are reported to be safe, officials said.
At least seven people succumbed to their injuries after being rescued at the nearby Army Hospital. The victims include four men, two women and a child.
Nathula Pass is situated on the border with China and is a major tourist destination because of its scenic beauty. According to eyewitnesses, some tourists were playing with snow and taking pictures around the location, while others were trying to climb the hills above when the avalanche occurred.
Sikkim Police Special DGP Akshay Sachdeva, who reached the spot along with other Gangtok district police officials, stated, “For years tourist are coming to Changu-Nathula but never has an avalanche occurred at 13th Mile, which is at a substantially low altitude. Our first priority is saving as many people as possible. Even if there are more people buried in the snow, we want to rescue them alive. Keeping them alive is very important.”
The official said that 11 people have been rescued and sent to STNM Hospital in Gangtok. “Among the 11, two were very critical. Any further critical patients will be taken to the Army’s MI room nearby and thereafter to STNM. Six people have been sent to MI room. We are awaiting reports from doctors,” the Special DGP said.
At present, rescue operations are being carried out by the Indian Army, BRO, Sikkim Police, Travel Agents Association of Sikkim, tourism department officials, and vehicle drivers.
Rescue operations at the avalanche site near Nathula 
Rescue operations at the avalanche site near Nathula 
Rescue operations at the avalanche site near Nathula 
Rescue operations at the avalanche site near Nathula 
Outside STNM Hospital in Gangtok 
Outside STNM Hospital in Gangtok 
Outside STNM Hospital in Gangtok
Sachdeva said some tourists had climbed high up the hill to play with the snow when the avalanche occurred.
Authorities in Sikkim have to restrict travel to Nathula on bad weather days, and tourists need to make special passes for travel to to the China border. Sachdeva said that owing to bad weather conditions, tourist passes for travel to restricted area of Changu on Tuesday were issued only till 15th Mile and not Changu lake.
“Normally people tend to go higher up, but the police issue passes keeping the safety and clarity of the roads in mind. 15th Mile is comparatively safe. But police is always under pressure from tourists to go higher up in altitude towards Nathula. But Sikkim is a tourism-driven state, and tourists want to see the snow when they come. Our job is to ensure a safe zone; but today’s avalanche occurred at 13th Mile.”
Indian Army officials said 23 tourists were rescued till 4pm, including six from deep valley and were shifted to nearby hospitals. “One lady was rescued alive after 1.5 hours of being buried under snow and has been sent to STNM Hospital,” an official said.
As per information shared by Inspector General for Checkpost Sonam Tenzing Bhutia, “Passes are issued for only 13th Mile, but tourists are forcefully going to 15th Mile. The incident happened in 15th mile.”
Control room has been set up at Gangtok’s Sadar Police Station for missing persons. For any queries, please contact: 03592202033 and 8695622101
This is a developing story.
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