Seven killed as massive avalanche hits Sikkim’s Nathu La pass, rescue operation underway

New Delhi (India), April 5, 2023: A massive avalanche near Nathu La mountain pass in Sikkim has claimed the lives of seven people, including a child and a woman. The incident occurred at around 11:10 a.m. on Monday, when at least 150 tourists were in the area.

Approximately 5–6 vehicles, along with 20–30 tourists were stuck under the snow. The Army has stated that 23 tourists have been rescued so far and rescue operation is undergoing. The rescue operations are being conducted by the Army, the State Disaster Management Team, and the police.

Nathu La Pass, which is situated on the border with China and is a major tourist destination, attracts a large number of tourists every year.

The scale of the tragedy is evident from the efforts of the numerous rescuers on site, who are digging through the snow to free those who are trapped. Following the clearing of snow from the road, around 350 stranded tourists have also been successfully rescued.

The tragedy serves as a reminder of the dangers of natural disasters in the region and the need for better preparedness to prevent such incidents from occurring in the future.