DUSHANBE, April 3, 2012, Asia-Plus — An avalanche killed at least one in the Ayni district yesterday while more people were trapped, according to the Interior Ministry traffic police directorate.
The avalanche reportedly occurred Monday afternoon some 79 kilometers north of Dushanbe. “The avalanche buried 13 heavy trucks,” said an official source at the traffic police directorate. “According to the preliminary data, one person was killed and one another was seriously injured and taken to a hospital. Two other persons are reported missing and a search operation for them is going on.”
Meanwhile, one of eyewitnesses told Asia-Plus by phone that “at first a snow-slide occurred at that site blocking the road.” “Several drivers and passengers got out of vehicles as the second avalanche, 25-30 meters in eight and some 50 meters in length, suddenly occurred,” the eyewitness said.
According to him, one of vehicles was destroyed completely and one other was damaged seriously while the remaining eleven vehicles were damaged inconsiderably.
The traffic police directorate notes that warmer temperatures have increased the risk of further avalanches in mountain areas and advises people not to travel unnecessarily.
