At least eight persons were reported to have been killed and five others injured after an avalanche struck a passenger vehicle at Zojila Pass on Friday, officials said. A senior official said that the vehicle came under a massive snow slide, leading to on-the-spot deaths of six occupants, while five others sustained injuries.
A snow avalanche struck near Zero Point at Zojila Pass on Friday, trapping several passenger vehicles under snow and blocking the strategic road which remains difficult for winter months.Initial reports indicate that at least three to four vehicles were caught in the avalanche, leaving occupants stranded as heavy snow accumulated along the route.
The incident highlights ongoing risks along the Zojila axis, a key mountain pass connecting Kashmir with Ladakh, where avalanches are common during late winter and early spring.Rescue teams were rushed to the site soon after the avalanche, and operations are underway to clear snow and reach the trapped vehicles, officials said.
Personnel from local administration and road maintenance agencies including BRO have been deployed, with efforts focused on removing snow debris and ensuring safe evacuation.Authorities said the road has been temporarily blocked due to the avalanche, halting movement of vehicles along the stretch.
Eyewitness said that vehicles are partially buried in snow, with people attempting to assist in clearing the route.Officials have urged travellers to avoid the route until clearance operations are completed and conditions are declared safe.
Zojila Pass, located at a high altitude, frequently witnesses avalanches and sudden weather changes, posing challenges for traffic and emergency response teams. Rescue and clearance operations are still continuing at the site.
Follow us
