Massive avalanche kills seven and leaves 150 trapped after knocking bus packed with tourists into gorge
AT least seven people have been killed and dozens more injured after a massive avalanche in India.
A major rescue operation is underway after a bus packed with tourists reportedly plunged into a gorge following the avalanche.
A child is understood to be among the dead along with four men and one woman, India Today reports.
The Indian army said the avalanche smashed into Nathu La, a popular tourist destination between Sikkim and the Chinese region of Tibet.
Dozens of tourists are feared to be trapped after the torrent of snow and rocks hit five to six vehicles.
It’s understood crowds were also taking photos near a stream when the avalanche hit.
At least 30 trapped tourists were pulled out and rushed to hospital, while around 350 people and 80 vehicles were stranded after snow blocked the roads, Times of India reports.
Footage showed several bodies strewn across the side of a mountain as local residents crowded around rescue workers.
Police official Tenzing Loden Lepcha said: “We are yet to ascertain how many people are still trapped. 17 people have been rescued, out of which eight are very critical and have been moved to a hospital.”
Loden Lepcha said rescue operations were ongoing at the site.
The Indian army is helping with the rescue operation.
Thousands of tourists flock to Sikkim every year – also known as the “Land of Mystic Splendour”.
It’s located below Mount Khangchendzonga, known as Kanchenjunga, the third highest mountain in the world.