Russian skier dies, 4 rescued in north Kashmir

KT NEWS SERVICE. Dated: 2/17/2018 3:46:30 PM

SRINAGAR, Feb 16: A Russian skier was killed while four others were rescued after they came under a snow avalanche in the world famous ski resort of Gulmarg.
Giving details a police spokesman said a group of five skiers from Russia came under a snow avalanche in Gulmarg sector.
However, immediately a rescue operation was launched, he said adding one of them had died while four others were rescued.
The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) had issued avalanche warning in north Kashmir, including Gulmarg for 24 hours Thursday evening.
On January 8, a skier from Sweden was killed while another was rescued in Gulmarg.
Meanwhile, tourism department expressed grief over the demise of skier who died due to the avalanche at Shinmai bowl in the upper reaches of Gulmarg.
Tourism minister Tassaduq Mufti expressed grief over the skier’s death and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family, said a statement.
The skier who has been identified as Stanislav from Russia had ventured into the back country area where advisories were already issued, it said.
The deceased was a part of group of five skiers who moved to Shinmai bowl despite strict instructions by the department about the zones which are avalanche prone.
Out of five, ski patrol team rescued other four from the avalanche. The dead body was brought down and is undergoing postmortem at district hospital.
The Russian group boarded the Gondola at around 11.30 AM today and came under avalanche at 12 noon. The group had arrived at Delhi on February 13 and moved to Gulmarg on February 14, 2018.
"The skiers had also signed an indemnity bond that they would not go into back country where avalanches occur on regular basis. However, the group still ventured into the area resulting in the tragic death of the skier," said the statement.
"To make the skiers aware about the avalanche prone areas, the department is organising Awareness Talk every Tuesday at 7.00 PM in which snow safety officer of the department Brian Newman provides them every information about the risks involved in certain areas.
"The awareness program receives good participation of the skiers especially foreigners. In order to propagate avalanche awareness, the department also puts Avalanche Talk live on its Facebook. Besides, the department has also erected sign boards at different places at upper reaches of Gulmarg informing the skiers about the avalanche areas."

 

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