Seven killed in Zoji La avalanche

Officials said a series of avalanches hit the stretch between Zero Point and Minimarg in the afternoon, leaving over a dozen vehicles trapped under the debris, and blocking the Srinagar-Leh highway at Zoji La pass, the only land link between Kashmir valley and Ladakh.

Union minister Jitendra Singh confirmed on X that seven people were killed in the incident. Saddened to learn about the tragic death of 7 persons and injuries to 5 after avalanche hit the vehicle at Zojila pass. My sincere condolences to the bereaved families," he wrote, adding all required assistance is being provided to the injured.

Ladakh's Lieutenant Governor, VK Saxena, said he is personally monitoring the situation.

"Heard the unfortunate news of an avalanche at Zoji La. I have directed the DC & SSP of Kargil to visit the spot immediately and mobilise relief and rescue operations. All government agencies including disaster relief forces and BRO have been put on high alert. I am personally monitoring the situation," Saxena said on X.

Dozens of vehicles trapped under snow

According to local authorities, the police, army, border roads organisation, SDRF and district administrations of Sonamarg and Drass, launched a joint rescue operation after a massive avalanche struck the pass on Friday afternoon, burying at least 15 vehicles partially or fully under the snow.

The avalanche struck at Captain-turn on the Zoji La Pass in Drass, police said, adding that rescue ops are underway to clear the snow and check whether there are people trapped underneath.

Earlier, district authorities in Drass confirmed that at least one person, a 10-year-old child, had been killed, while an elderly man sustained injuries, and has been shifted to Kargil for treatment. The identity of the deceased child is being confirmed, they said.

A major rescue operation, involving more than 100 personnel from the police, SDRF, BRO, and the army is underway since the afternoon, and is expected to continue till late in the night, they said.