7 tourists dead in massive avalanche in Sikkim; Amit Shah says 'closely monitoring'

Seven tourists were killed as a massive avalanche hit Sikkim's Nathu La area on Tuesday morning, burying their vehicles under the snow, officials said.

The avalanche hit the arterial Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, which connects Gangtok to Nathu La at the China border, around 11.30 am, trapping five-six vehicles with around 30 people under the snow, the Army said in a statement.

Till 4 pm, seven bodies were brought out of the snow and 23 people were rescued alive, including six tourists from a deep valley, a state government official said, quoting reports from the Army. Among those dead are a woman and a child, he said.

Search operations in the area are underway by the Army, state disaster management teams and police to find if any other person is trapped, officials said. Those injured were admitted to different hospitals in Gangtok, around 55 km away, they said.

Some 350 people and 80 vehicles, which were stranded on the road because of the snow blocking the road from Nathu La, were also brought back, he added.

Troops of Trishakti Corps, Indian Army are involved in a rescue mission at Gangtok-Natu La road near Milestone 15 in Sikkim where an avalanche struck, claiming seven lives.

Nathu La Pass is situated on the border with China and is a major tourist destination because of its scenic beauty.

The higher altitudes of Sikkim including Tsomgo Lake and Nathu La have received heavy snowfall, since past three weeks. On many occasions, tourists returning from Tsomgo Lake and Nathu La had been stranded due to afternoon snowstorm blocking the road.

Meanwhile, Jammu Kashmir Disaster Management Authority (JKDMA) has alerted that an avalanche with Low Danger Level is likely to occur Kupwara district in the next 24 hours.

In a statement, the authority said that "an avalanche with Low Danger Level is likely to occur Kupwara district in the next 24 hours. People living in these areas are advised to take precautions and avoid venturing into the avalanche-prone areas till further orders."

Closely monitoring situation: Amit Shah condoles deaths in Sikkim's avalanche

Union Home Minister Amit Shah said the Centre was closely monitoring the situation, and the teams of the NDRF will reach the area -- between Milestones 13 and 17 -- soon. "My sincerest condolences to the families of those who have lost their lives in the tragic avalanche in Sikkim. We are closely monitoring the situation and the teams of NDRF will reach the affected area soon. I pray for the speedy recovery of those injured," he tweeted.

Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang condoled the deaths, and said that he was praying for the speedy recovery of those injured. "My heart goes out to the bereaved family and friends in this hour of grief and I pray that the departed souls rest in eternal peace," Tamang said.