Tragedy struck in eastern Afghanistan, where an avalanche claimed the lives of at least 25 people following heavy snowfall across the country.
Afghanistan avalanche leads to mass deaths
Nuristan province head of information and culture Jamiullah Hashimi confirmed the grim toll to AFP, noting rescue efforts were ongoing amid challenging conditions.
“It is still snowing. Rescue efforts are underway, and the number of dead may increase,” Hashimi stated.
The avalanche occurred overnight on Sunday, 18 February 2024, in the village of Nakre, located in the province’s Tatin valley.
Homes were engulfed by snow and rubble, leaving about 20 houses either destroyed or heavily damaged. Initial reports cited eight fatalities, but disaster management officials later updated the death toll to 25 on Monday afternoon, cautioning that the figure might yet rise.
Efforts to reach those affected have been severely hampered by adverse weather conditions.
Helicopters have been unable to land in the area, and the main road leading to Nuristan province is blocked by snow, as reported by Mohammad Nabi Adel, the head of public works in Nuristan, to AFP.
In response to the crisis, Taliban authorities have dispatched additional rescue teams to the site, local media report.
Is Afghanistan prone to natural disasters of this magnitude?
This incident casts a spotlight on the susceptibility of Afghanistan to natural disasters, particularly avalanches.
The country’s mountainous terrain, coupled with severe winter weather, often leads to deadly avalanches that impact remote communities the hardest.
These events not only cause immediate loss of life and destruction of property but also pose significant challenges to rescue and recovery efforts, especially in areas with limited access and infrastructure.
