Five killed in Zojila avalanche, bodies retrieved, rescue continues for missing

Zojila, March 27, KNT: At least five people were killed in a snow avalanche between Zero Point and India Gate along the Zojila axis on Friday, with rescue teams continuing efforts to retrieve more bodies from under the snow, officials said.

The avalanche struck a stretch of the strategic road connecting Kashmir to Ladakh, burying multiple vehicles that were on their way to Kargil from Sonamarg.

The incident marks a deadly escalation from initial reports of vehicles being trapped, as rescue operations confirmed fatalities at the site.

Chief Executive Councillor, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Kargil, Dr Jaffar Akhoon, who is present at the spot along with Kargil administration officers, said five bodies had been recovered so far.

“Five dead bodies have been retrieved from the snow and shifted to Sub District Hospital Drass,” he told the news agency Kashmir News Trust.

He added that one to two more bodies are still believed to be trapped under the snow, and efforts are underway to retrieve them.

Akhoon said the identities of the deceased were not being disclosed immediately to avoid panic among their families.

“All the deceased are from Kargil,” he said.

He said rescue teams are working in challenging conditions to clear snow and search for any remaining victims buried in the avalanche debris.

The vehicles caught in the avalanche were part of traffic moving towards Kargil, highlighting the risks faced along the Zojila route, which is prone to avalanches during this period.

Authorities have intensified rescue operations, deploying personnel and equipment to speed up recovery efforts.

The road remains blocked following the avalanche, with movement suspended until clearance operations are completed. [KNT]