Death toll in Tibet avalanche rises to 20 – state media
INQUIRER.net stock images
Beijing, China — The death toll from an avalanche that struck a road in mountainous Tibet this week has risen to 20, state television reported Friday.
The snow slide occurred Tuesday evening at the exit of a tunnel on a highway in southeastern Tibet, trapping a number of people in their vehicles.
China’s Ministry of Emergency Management sent a disaster response team to the region the following day.
State media reported Friday that authorities had now placed the death toll at 20, with eight people still missing.
“At present, the rescue work is still ongoing,” state broadcaster CCTV reported, citing rescue authorities.
Article continues after this advertisementThe Duoxiongla Tunnel was shrouded in cloudy weather but it was not hindering rescue work, CCTV added.
Article continues after this advertisementAvalanches are common in the Himalayas, home to the world’s highest mountains.
In October at least 26 people died when a mountaineering expedition was caught in an avalanche on Mount Draupadi ka Danda-II in India’s northern state of Uttarakhand.
RELATED STORIES
Mont Blanc avalanche kills British woman
Two still missing after Austrian avalanche – APA
Global warming-induced avalanche blamed for river blockage in Tibet
