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  • Apr 3rd, 2007
  • Comments Off on Chitral avalanche death toll rises to 41
The death toll from avalanches that hit two villages in Chitral district raised to 41 after rescue workers found 11 more bodies from the debris of the devastated houses, police said here on Monday. At least 30 people were killed in village Washich in Torkoh tehsil on late Saturday night.

Some 11 people were buried alive in Momi village, 25 km from Chitral district, when alvanche hit Mirza Khan's house on Sunday. According to the police, the administration and the locals were rescuing the buried. So far 30 bodies were retrieved from the rubble, fourteen are missing and six were pulled out alive. The injured were in critical condition.

During the recent torrential rains, Chitral received heavy snowfall that caused the avalanche. Communication links between the district and the rest of the country were also disrupted. Rescue teams were facing difficulties in carrying out their work as roads in the district are closed due to snowfall.

RELIEF GOODS SENT Pakistan Army transported 12 tonnes of relief goods comprising food items, medicines and tents to affected areas of snow landslide in Chitral on Monday, an ISPR press release said.

Early this morning one C-130 aircraft of Pakistan Air Force (PAF) loaded with relief goods took off for Chitral. Relief goods will be distributed amongst the families of village Washiekh Zo Mirgoal Torkhau and Garam Chashma.

The relief items provided by NWFP Government contains 4,000 kilograms flour, 2,500 kg ghee, 1,000 kg sugar, 2,000 kg rice, 500 blankets and 500 tents. Soldiers of Frontier Corps NWFP with the collaboration of local administration would distribute these food items among affected families.

Twenty three bodies have been recovered so far from the slide and six injured evacuated to safe places. Apart from rescue operations Army Medical Corps has established medical camps at both the locations where free medical treatment is being provided to the victims.

Frontiers Corps troops deployed in Chitral have been instructed that all out efforts must be made to help and extend all possible assistance to the affected peoples in the snow-slide hit areas and remain alert to counter any unforeseen eventuality.

Copyright Associated Press of Pakistan, 2007


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