Seven people lost their lives after an avalanche hit two trucks, carrying 10 people, at the Khardungla pass in Ladakh region around 7.00 am on Friday, 18 January.
Authorities in Leh district of Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday, 19 January, ordered an inquiry into the circumstances that led to the death of seven people.
- The two trucks were buried 20 feet deep under the debris, nearly 800 metres from Khardungla Top towards South Pullu
- Five bodies were recovered on Friday, 18 Jan, while two more were found on Saturday, 19 Jan
- J&K Authorities constituted an enquiry committee to probe the deaths
- Governor Satya Pal Malik announced an ex-gratia relief of Rs 5 lakh for next of kin of those killed
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J&K Authorities Order Probe into Death of Seven People in Leh
Leh Deputy Commissioner Avny Lavasa has constituted an enquiry committee comprising Assistant Labour Commissioner Ghulam Nabi Tak and tehsildar Gurmet Namgail to conduct a thorough enquiry into the matter, an official said.
Two More Bodies Recovered, Death Toll Rises to 7
Two more bodies were recovered on Saturday, 19 January from the site where an avalanche struck two trucks in Ladakh, taking the death toll to seven, PTI reported quoting the officials as saying.
Another two bodies have been recovered at Khardungla avalanche site. In total, seven bodies have been recovered so farState Disaster Management Department official to PTI
He said search was in progress for the remaining three persons. The official said arrangements have been made to airlift the bodies to Zanskar tehsil, the report added.
Trucks Were Buried 20-Ft Deep Under Debris
"The two trucks, carrying 10 civilians, came under an avalanche at Khardungla pass, which is one of the highest motorable roads in the world at 17,500 feet, at 7.00 am," news agency PTI quoted a defence spokesperson as saying.
He said the trucks were buried 20 feet deep under debris, nearly 800 metres from Khardungla Top towards South Pullu.
As soon as the Army detachment at Khardungla Top was alerted about the incident, all resources of the Fire and Fury Corps were activated, the spokesman said.
"Army teams deployed near the incident site swiftly moved in and commenced search and rescue operations. Troops deployed at South Pullu and North Pullu were also moved to the site,” he added.
'Army Aviation Helicopters Pressed into Service'
The Army Aviation helicopters were pressed into service to move the highly trained avalanche rescue teams of the Army - Avalanche Panthers Teams - from Siachen Base Camp and North Pullu, a defence spokesperson was quoted by PTI, as saying.
These teams are equipped with specialised avalanche rescue gear, medical equipment and avalanche rescue dogs, which are being utilised in the search operations, he said.
The Army Aviation helicopters are conducting the Deep Search Radars which can detect human beings through snow.