9 killed in Lower Chitral Avalanche hits house
CHITRAL: (News Pulse) At least nine people were killed and one child injured when an avalanche struck a house in the remote Damel area of Lower Chitral, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, following heavy snowfall, officials said on Friday.
Lower Chitral Deputy Commissioner Rao Hashim Azeem told media that all bodies trapped under the debris had been recovered, while the injured child was rescued alive and shifted to Drosh for medical treatment.
Rescue 1122 District Emergency Officer Bilal Ahmed Faizi said the incident occurred in Sareegal village, within the limits of PP Damil and PS Arandu, when a massive snow slide buried 10 members of the same family inside their home.
Local residents immediately launched rescue efforts and managed to recover four bodies in the initial phase. Search and rescue operations continued under harsh weather conditions, with police assisting at the site and coordinating relief work.
Faizi said the victims included a man, his wife and seven of their children, including three daughters and two sons.
A joint rescue operation was carried out with the participation of the Pakistan Army, Chitral Scouts, Chitral Levies and Chitral Police, while local volunteers played a key role despite difficult terrain and extreme cold.
Lower Chitral District Police Officer Riffatullah Khan said snowfall was ongoing at the time of the incident and that police worked to clear access routes. He added that the Pakistan Army and Frontier Corps also took part in rescue and relief activities, successfully recovering the bodies and rescuing the injured child.
Following the incident, a police alert was issued due to continued severe weather conditions, directing officers to remain on duty round the clock.
President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and termed the extreme weather a climate emergency. In a post on X, he urged federal, provincial and local authorities to strengthen preparedness, relief measures and public communication using modern technology.
Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi took notice of the incident and ordered immediate relief for the affected families. He directed authorities to expedite rescue and relief operations and deploy additional machinery and personnel to restore roads in snow-affected areas.
Expressing grief over the tragedy, CM Afridi conveyed condolences to the bereaved families and directed that the injured be provided the best possible medical care.
K-P Governor Faisal Karim Kundi also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and prayed for those who lost their lives.
Meanwhile, Special Assistant to the Chief Minister on Information Shafi Jan said heavy snowfall had continued in mountainous areas since the previous day, adding that the provincial government, along with Rescue 1122, district administration and civil defence, was fully mobilised to respond to the situation.
