Rescuers in Tajikistan searching for survivors after series of avalanches kills at least 17 people
So far 69 avalanches have hit as meteorological department warns of more avalanche danger
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.The death toll from a series of avalanches has soared to 17 after an icy barrage hit the towns in the eastern region this week.
Rescuers in the Gorno-Badakhshan autonomous region (GBAO), which borders China and Afghanistan, continued their search to find missing people and recover bodies on Friday.
Dozens of houses are burried in snow, and access to towns was cut off after the snow covered the roads, making the region impassable.
Footage on social media showed people fervently resuscitating a survivor recovered from under the snow. Several houses could be seen completely buried while others had their roofs blown away.
In Gorno-Badakhshan, more than 400 households have been relocated from dangerous areas after the avalanches hit homes as well as roads, the government said.
The mayor of capital Khorog of GBAO, Rizo Nazarzoda, urged its 30,000 residents to stay at home as heavy snow and rain battered the region.
According to the country’s Committee of Emergency Situations and Civil Defense (CESCD), 16 people were killed in GBAO while one person was killed on the Dushanbe-Varzob highway as of Friday.
Some 69 avalanches have hit the Gorno-Badakhshan region since Thursday, one after the other, making several towns inaccessible and residents confined to their homes, it added.
More than 90 per cent of Central Asian country is covered with rugged mountains and avalanches as well as are a constant occuring, killing dozens of people every year.
A three-year-old child, two school children and five university students who were waiting for a bus were among the youngest fatalities of the latest onslaught of the disaster.
Two female students are missing in Ishkoshim, while several others have been reported missing.
Tajik emergency and rescue services are working at full capacity, the CESCD statement said. It issued a warning of danger from more avalanches in the coming days until Sunday, citing meteorological reports.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments