Latest Avalanches in northeastern Afghanistan kill at least 22

Latest Avalanches in northeastern Afghanistan kill at least 22

2012-03-23 08:50:48 GMT+7 (ICT)

FAIZABAD, AFGHANISTAN (BNO NEWS) -- At least twenty-two people were confirmed dead after the latest series of avalanches in northeastern Afghanistan, local authorities said Thursday.

The avalanches struck late Wednesday night, one of them in the remote province of Badakhashan, where a number of people were killed in the village of Irak in the Wakhan District.

Afghan National Disaster Management Authority provincial chief Sanaullah Amiri told Pajhwok Afghan News that 21 people were confirmed dead in initial reports, while District chief Syed Fairoz said that massive search and rescue operations are currently underway.

In a separate incident, in the province's Sohadai District, a shepherd and about 100 of his livestock died after being buried by an avalanche, according to Abdul Maroof Khairkhwa, the town's administrative chief.

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