Major avalanche hits Sikkim's Nathula border area; 7 tourists dead, 23 rescued, 350 brought back to Gangtok

I am saddened by the incident. Rescue work was carried out by State and NDRF officials. Seven people died and we're trying to ascertain where they are from. If there are more stranded tourists, we'll carry out the rescue operation again tomorrow, said Sikkim CM Prem Singh Tamang.

"All the injured, be they from any state, will be treated for free. Even the deceased will be taken to their residence... We have started the helpline number. We'll come to know how many were tourists, how many died & how many were hospitalized, by tomorrow. It's already night and it will be tough to ascertain. There could be 2-3 more who may be trapped, we will try to rescue them," CM said.

Distressed by the avalanche in Sikkim. Condolences to those who have lost their loved ones. I hope the injured recover soon. Rescue ops are underway and all possible assistance is being provided to those affected, said PM Modi.

22 tourists were rescued by 6 pm from deep valley side and have been shifted to the nearest hospital. One lady was rescued after one and a half hours of being buried under snow and was evacuated to STNM Hospital in BRO ambulance. In addition, 15 tourists who were partially buried under snow were rescued and given first aid and thereafter been sent back to Gangtok.

The resilient BRO Karmyogis have ensured that 350 stranded tourists and 80 vehicles which were stranded at the avalanche site have been rescued after snow clearance along the road and moved to Gangtok after medical checkup by BRO doctors.

Rescue operations are still underway by BRO to ensure that no more tourists are trapped or buried under the snow. The rescue operations are being monitored at site by Chief Engineer Project Swastik along with his team of officers and men.

Troops of Trishakti Corps, Indian Army undertake the rescue mission at Gangtok-Natu La road near Milestone 15 in Sikkim where an avalanche struck, claiming seven lives so far.

Seven others were administered first aid and returned to Gangtok. The road has been opened for traffic by BRO. Search and rescue mission for rest of the people is underway by the Army, State Disaster Management Team and Police.

Approximately 5-6 vehicles along with 20-30 tourists on way to Natu La are feared to have been stuck under the snow. Troops of Trishakti Corps, Indian Army have launched a rescue mission.

By 3 PM, 14 persons were rescued and taken to nearby Army medical facility. However, seven tourists have succumbed to injuries. The other seven were administered first aid and are returning to Gangtok.

Meanwhile the road has been opened for traffic by BRO.

WATCH | Rescue efforts underway after a major avalanche hit Nathula border region in Sikkim. At least 6 people have died so far. Several others feared trapped.

At least 22 tourists have been rescued after avalanche strikes on Jawaharlal Nehru road connecting Gangtok with Nathula. The rescue efforts are still underway.

About 350 tourists who were not in the avalanche zone are returning back to Gangtok after the BRO cleared the road towards the state capital.

Videos circulating in social media show some tourists being pulled out from the avalanche. Many tourists had been washed away down below the road into the gorge. Some could be seen lying unconscious on top of the snow below the road.

A BRO source informed that 17 tourists have been pulled out from the avalanche and shifted to Army hospitals nearby.

Since past two-three weeks, the higher altitudes of Sikkim including Tsomgo Lake and Nathu La have received heavy snowfall. On many occasions, tourists returning from Tsomgo Lake and Nathu La had been stranded due to afternoon snowstorm blocking the road.

A tour operator informed that on Tuesday, tourists going to Tsomgo Lake had stopped near 17th Mile where the road was blocked with heavy snowfall. The tourists went walking to the hill side to take photos and enjoy the snow when suddenly an avalanche came down and washed away scores of tourists down the road.

At approx 12:15 pm, approx 25-30 tourists were struck by a sudden Avalanche near 17th mile on Jawaharlal Nehru Marg near Nathula border area in Sikkim. The site where avalanche hit is about 25 km away from Gangtok.

As per information available, rescue and relief operations are being undertaken by Sikkim Police, BRO, Army, government departments and tour operators. The exact figures of injuries and fatalities are not known immediately.