Skier killed in avalanche at Gulmarg, another rescued
Srinagar: An international skier from Sweden died after a snow avalanche hit him on Affarwat peak in north Kashmir’s Gulmarg, police said.
The police said that two skiers got trapped when the avalanche hit them near the second phase of car cable Gandola on Affarwat peak.
“One skier, Daniel, from Sweden was killed while as another skier was rescued by Ski Rescue Team of J&K Police and is safe. His name is Benjeman and he also hails from Sweden,” police said.
Earlier on Wednsday, authorities in Srinagar had issued an avalanche warning for seven districts of Kashmir till Thursday evening in view of forecast of rain or snow. The warning was issued in view of reports of precipitation in many areas in the higher reaches of Kashmir.
“According to the additional commissioner, Kashmir, avalanche warning exists for avalanche prone areas in Anantnag, Kulgam, Budgam, Baramulla, Kupwara, Bandipora and Ganderbal districts of Kashmir division,” an official spokesman had said.
The warning was valid from 5.00pm on Wednesday to 5.00pm on Thursday.
The authorities had asked all the deputy commissioners concerned to take all precautionary measures to avert any untoward incident. They had appealed the general public not to venture in these areas during the warning period.
Pertinently, former chief minister Omar Abdullah said that the incident is very unfortunate and asked why these skiers were allowed to go there despite warning.
“Very unfortunate. How were these skiers allowed to ski off piste (despite) considering that avalanche warnings had been issued 24 hours ago?,” He wrote on Twitter.
Earlier, this month, eleven people died due to snow avalanche in north Kashmir’s Kupwara district. Eight passengers of a cab and two pedestrian were killed after a snow avalanche swept away their car near the Sadhna top.
KV Correspondent
