The Indian Army announced on Saturday that at least four workers lost their lives after an avalanche swept away a construction crew working on a highway expansion project near the India-Tibet border.
The incident occurred on Friday near Mana Pass in the northern Uttarakhand state, trapping 55 workers under the snow.
In a statement, the army confirmed that rescue teams managed to retrieve 50 workers, but four of them succumbed to their injuries. Five other workers remain missing, and rescue operations are ongoing.
Military helicopters are aiding the search efforts, and authorities have emphasized the priority of medical care for the injured.
Highway Expansion Project
Most of the trapped workers were migrant laborers engaged in a 50-kilometer road construction project connecting Mana village, the last village on the Indian side, to Mana Pass at the border.
The Himalayan region is among the most environmentally sensitive areas, facing growing climate risks, making it increasingly vulnerable to avalanches.
In 2022, a similar avalanche in Uttarakhand claimed the lives of 22 trainee climbers. Rescue operations continue as authorities work to prevent further casualties.
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