2nd LD Writethru: 29 killed in E. Afghan avalanche
Xinhua, February 25, 2015 Adjust font size:
At least 29 people were killed while several of others missing after an avalanche struck villages in the eastern Afghan province of Panjshir overnight Tuesday, sources said on Wednesday.
"According to our latest reports 29 people died and 10 others wounded as the result of heavy avalanche in several villages in Panjshir province at midnight," acting provincial governor Abdul Rahman Kabiri told local media.
The number of casualties of the disaster may rise further, he said.
"Dozens of houses were destroyed. Many villagers are still missing after the natural disaster. Rescue teams and police forces failed to reach all affected areas as roads in the province have been blocked by heavy snowfall," the official noted.
The mountainous province with Bazarak as its capital is located 200 km north of the Afghan capital of Kabul.
Parts of Afghanistan have seen heavy snowfall over the past weeks, with snow affecting some main roads and mountain passes.
Three women and a man have been killed in the northern Takhar province while several children died in eastern Nangarhar province in incidents caused by heavy snowfall over the past 24 hours, according to officials.
In the neighboring Parwan province, the mountain pass Salang was closed by authorities after avalanches blocked all pathways over the weekend. Endi