Avalanches in northeastern Afghanistan kill at least 24

[News_Editor]

Avalanches in northeastern Afghanistan kill at least 24

2012-01-17 21:13:57 GMT+7 (ICT)

KABUL, AFGHANISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- Avalanches caused by heavy snowfall in northeastern Afghanistan have killed at least 24 people, provincial officials said on Tuesday. An unknown number of people are believed to be missing.

The avalanches occurred on Monday in several districts of Badakhshan, a remote and mountainous province which faces severe snow every year between October and April. Among the regions affected are Raghistan district, Yaftal Payeen district, Yaftal Bala district and Ishkashim district.

More than 500 houses are believed to have been buried under the snow, including around 80 houses in Zech village alone. Provincial officials said at least 24 people have been killed, but many others are feared to be missing. Others have been injured.

Several highways and roads in the region have also been closed due to the heavy snowfall, which has prevented search and rescue teams from reaching the worst-hit areas. Few details about the scale of the disaster were immediately known.

Mountainous regions in Afghanistan are prone to avalanches. In February 2010, more than 170 people were killed when a series of avalanches struck the Salang Pass, a major mountain pass which connects northern Afghanistan and the Afghan capital of Kabul.

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