Bodies of missing youths recovered a day after avalanche hits Naltar village

Published January 19, 2023
Two men make rescue efforts on Thursday to find bodies of two youths after an avalanched engulfed them in Gilgit Baltistan’s Naltar valley on Wednesday evening. — Photo provided by author
Two men make rescue efforts on Thursday to find bodies of two youths after an avalanched engulfed them in Gilgit Baltistan’s Naltar valley on Wednesday evening. — Photo provided by author

Rescue teams recovered on Thursday the bodies of two youths from underneath the snow, a day after an avalanche hit Gilgit-Baltistan’s upper Naltar Valley.

According to Nomal police, the avalanche had hit the valley’s Khayot village, following which the boys — named Zubair and Arif — were reported to be missing.

The police said rescue efforts to find them were hampered during the night due to the darkness. However, local residents continued rescue efforts on their own.

Rescue teams resumed their efforts in the morning and were successful in recovering the bodies of both the victims after a few hours.

Prior to the recovery of the bodies, GB Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid had directed the local administration and Rescue 1122 to “make every possible effort”. He had also expressed his grief on the incident.

The incident comes almost a week after at least four homes were completely destroyed and 40 were partially damaged in Diamer’s Tangir Valley as a result of two lake outbursts. However, no loss of life was reported as per the officials.

According to locals, an avalanche had suddenly fallen in the Gichhar and Labar lakes, causing the outburst.

Almost all areas in GB have seen intense cold weather throughout the previous week with continuous snowfall and below 0°C temperatures. According to the Pakistan Meteorological Department, the temperature in Astore was -6°C and -5°C in Skardu on the day of the incident.

Opinion

Editorial

Kurram atrocity
Updated 22 Nov, 2024

Kurram atrocity

It would be a monumental mistake for the state to continue ignoring the violence in Kurram.
Persistent grip
22 Nov, 2024

Persistent grip

PAKISTAN has now registered 50 polio cases this year. We all saw it coming and yet there was nothing we could do to...
Green transport
22 Nov, 2024

Green transport

THE government has taken a commendable step by announcing a New Energy Vehicle policy aiming to ensure that by 2030,...
Military option
Updated 21 Nov, 2024

Military option

While restoring peace is essential, addressing Balochistan’s socioeconomic deprivation is equally important.
HIV/AIDS disaster
21 Nov, 2024

HIV/AIDS disaster

A TORTUROUS sense of déjà vu is attached to the latest health fiasco at Multan’s Nishtar Hospital. The largest...
Dubious pardon
21 Nov, 2024

Dubious pardon

IT is disturbing how a crime as grave as custodial death has culminated in an out-of-court ‘settlement’. The...