DUSHANBE/PANJAKENT, February 25, Asia-Plus — More than 20 people have been trapped by avalanches that occurred on the Shahriston Pass last week, Asia-Plus has learned from Sattor Ismatulloyev, the engineer-in-chief at the transport department in Sughd’s Ayni district.
According to him, the avalanche that occurred on the pass on February 21 trapped 13 vehicles with totaling more than 20 people.
An operation on cleaning the road to the pass is under way. Ismatulloyev added that warmer temperatures have increased the risk of further avalanches in the region, where some 30 snow-slides occurred during weekends. Fortunately, no casualties were reported.
We will recall that three persons were killed and at least seven others were injured in two separate avalanches that occurred in Varzob and Shahriston on February 21.
Five children were buried by an avalanche that occurred in the Takob area, Varzob district Thursday afternoon. Four children were rescued but one teenager was killed by the avalanche.
The second avalanche occurred on the Shahriston Pass the same day, leaving two dead and three injured, the source said.
