Waris Fayaz
Baramulla, Feb 01 : Two skiers from Poland died while 21 others were rescued after a massive snow avalanche hit Afarwat peak at ski-resort in Gulmarg on Wednesday.
Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Baramulla, Amod Ashok Nagpure confirmed to news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that an avalanche struck near Afarwat Peak in the afternoon in which bodies of two foreign tourists were recovered.
But 21 others who were trapped were rescued.
The deceased were identified as Krzysltof, 43, and Adam Grzech, 45, both from Poland.
Nagpure said that the avalanche warning was already issued by the authorities and investigations are underway to see how tourists were allowed towards the site.
A police spokesperson said that 19 foreign nationals of Russia and Poland along with two local guides were rescued by the Police along with the tourism department after they got trapped when a massive avalanche hit Hapatkhud Kongdori in Gulmarg.
On receiving the information, police said they mobilised joint rescue teams of police, Army and tourism department for rescue operation using all available equipment.
It said 19 foreign nationals and two local guides were safely rescued including Ekaterina, Maxim, Vladimir, Vasiliy, Engine, Leo, Nikita Mastryukov, Anna Chornyak, residents of Russia and Rafat Kaqmaren, Narcin Wieklux, Eukasz Potaczewck, Tukasz Pasek, Katarzyna Filip, Marcin Raczyk, Barteomie Szkop, Bartosz Domagata, Adrian Anirowsu, Macie Kowalczyk of Poland, a foreign guide Bartos from Poland and local guides namely Fayaz Ahmad Sheikh and Mushtaq Ahmad Mir from Tangmarg.
Meanwhile, LG Manoj Sinah in a tweet said: “Saddened by the loss of lives due to an avalanche in Gulmarg. My thoughts are with the families of those who have lost their loved ones in this mishap. DC and Divisional Commissioner Office is providing all possible assistance to those affected.”—(KNO)
