Officials: Avalanche along Afghan mountain pass kills 8, strands hundreds north of Kabul
By APTuesday, February 9, 2010
Officials: Afghan avalanche kills 8, strands 100s
KABUL — Avalanches in a mountain pass north of Kabul killed at least eight people, injured more than 40 and left hundreds stranded, Afghan officials said Tuesday.
The avalanches took place Monday following heavy snows in the Salang Pass, which crests at 12,700 feet (3,800 meters) and links the Afghan capital with the northern city of Mazar-i-Sharif.
Rescuers worked through the night, saving dozens of people, said Gen. Abdul Rahman Sayedkhail, Parwan provincial police chief.
“There’s still danger from avalanches there so that’s why our work is a little slow,” Rahman said.
About 100 Afghan soldiers were mobilized to join police and others in the rescue efforts, along with four helicopters, several ambulances and several bulldozers, Defense Ministry spokesman Gen. Mohammad Zahir Azimi said.
Military helicopters were dropping food packages to people stuck on snow-blocked roads, Interior Ministry spokesman Zemerai Bashary said.
