The number of casualties in a series of avalanches on February 25, which was triggered by a heavy snowfall in Afghanistan, has now reached 200. And the number is still rising.

Acting Provincial Governor Abdul Rahman Kabiri told AFP in an interview that majority of the victims were from Panjshir Province, North of Kabul, where 168 cadavers were retrieved.

Like Us on Facebook

The other 18 victims were from the distant North Eastern Province of Badakhshan, 12 in North Nuristan Province, six in the in the Central Province of Bamiyan, four in Laghman and one in Nangarngar East of Afghanistan.

The avalanches were triggered by heavy snow that has covered Afghanistan for several days. It has damaged more than 100 houses in the area and obstructed main roads, making it unpassable.

Kabiri also stressed that they have never seen so much snow for the past decades in Panjshir caused by the series of avalanches.

Rescue and retrieval operations are still in progress to retrieve cadavers and assist survivors who were confined in the area.

However, the intense snow in the said area makes it hard for the rescue and retrieval team to reach the remote community.

Head of Disaster Response, Afghan Red Crescent Society, Abdul Rahman Kalantari, asserted that death toll may still increase as the rescue and retrieval operations are still on going.

President Ashraf Ghani in his statement demonstrated his deep sympathy to the families and the victims of the tragic incident.

Further, he instructed local officials to immediately provide necessary aid and intervention for those who were affected by the incident.

An avalanche in 2010 killed more than 160 people and more than 145 people in 2012. 

TagsAfghanistan, Afghan Avalanche