- Sunday, March 02, 2025
By: Shubham Ghosh
At least seven people, including a child, were killed while many others were feared trapped under snow in a massive avalanche near Nathula mountain pass in India’s north-eastern Himalayan state of Sikkim on Tuesday (4).
According to reports, the natural disaster struck around 12.15 pm local time at a spot on the road connecting Nathu La with state capital Gangtok. At least 150 tourists were in the area at the time. All the deceased were reported to be tourists.
VIDEO | Six tourists dead, several others feared trapped as massive avalanche hits #Nathula in Sikkim. pic.twitter.com/d7lT5AYyp1
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 4, 2023
Nathula Pass, which is located at a height of 4,310 metres (14,140 feet) above sea level, is located on the border with China and is a major tourist destination, especially during summer.
Videos from the site where the avalanche struck were doing rounds on social media, showing the extent of the tragedy. People could be seen engaging in operations to rescue people who got trapped under snow.
Around 22 people were rescued, NDTV reported, and sent to nearby hospitals. A woman was rescued after she remained buried under snow for more than an hour.
“Swift rescue operations were launched by Border Roads Organisation and 22 people were rescued till now including 6 from a deep valley,” the Border Roads Organisation, which constructs motorable roads in border areas, was quoted as saying.
Officers from Sikkim Police and officials from the state’s travel agents’ body and tourism department besides vehicle drivers were helping in the rescue operations.
Hundreds of tourists also got stranded and they were moved to safety later after snow was removed from the road.
