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Jawahar Tunnel tragedy: Death toll reaches eight as another body recovered

Jawahar Tunnel tragedy: Death toll reaches eight as another body recovered
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Srinagar: The body of a policeman, who was missing following an avalanche near Jawahar Tunnel in Kulgam district two days ago, was found on Saturday, taking the death toll in the incident to eight, police said.
The body was extricated by a search and rescue team this morning, a police official said.
An avalanche hit a police post in the north portal of Jawahar Tunnel in Kulgam district on Thursday evening. While 10 cops were able to rush to safety, 10 others were trapped.
Bodies of five policemen and two prisoners were retrieved by the search and rescue team on Friday, he said.
While two cops were rescued, another was missing.
Heavy snowfall across Kashmir on Wednesday and Thursday has triggered avalanches and snowslides at many places in the hilly areas of the valley.
Meanwhile, the government has, on the directions of Governor Satya Pal Malik, announced ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh each for the next of kin of those killed in snow avalanches and shooting stones at various places across the State during the recent snowfall.
Expressing deep grief over the loss of precious human lives in these tragic incidents, the Governor lauded the efforts of the rescue teams and local volunteers for accomplishing the challenging task of search and rescue operation despite facing extreme weather conditions.
He also expressed condolences with the bereaved families and directed the health department to provide best possible medicare facilities to the injured.
Pertinently, eight persons including six Police/Fire & Emergency Personnel and two civilians were killed and three others injured in a tragic incident when an avalanche struck north portal of Jawahar Tunnel in Qazigund area.
Three Police Personnel rescued from Jawahar Tunnel avalanche are undergoing treatment.
In another incident a couple was killed when an avalanche hit their house at SundBrari in Kokernag area. A youth was killed in a similar incident at Chairhaar in district Baramulla.
In Jammu division, two persons died and two others were injured in landslide and shooting stones in Ramban area on Srinagar-Jammu highway.
Similar incidents took place in Bubail are of district Kishtwar and Chinkha area of Arnas in district Reasi.
The Government has asked the Divisional Commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir to immediately release ex-gratia relief to the next of kin of the deceased and extend all possible assistance to the injured.


KV News

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