One foreigner dead, another missing in Jammu & Kashmir's Gulmarg avalanche

One foreigner died on Thursday after an avalanche struck Gulmarg in Jammu and Kashmir. Another foreigner is currently missing.

One foreigner was rescued and is currently being treated in a local hospital.

"At around 1400 (2 pm) hours today, an avalanche was recorded in Gulmarg, trapping three foreigners. Tragically, one of them is dead, one injured, and one still remains missing," the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) said.

The avalanche struck the Kongdoori slopes, trapping several skiers. The foreigners had gone to the ski slopes without local residents, officials said.

Personnel of the Army and a patrolling team of the Jammu and Kashmir administration are carrying out rescue and search operations, they added.

On Wednesday, the J&K disaster management authority issued a fresh avalanche warning for the 10 districts of the Union territory. A low-danger level avalanche warning was issued for Anantnag and Kulgam, a medium level avalanche warning was issued for the districts of Bandipora and Baramulla districts in the next 24 hours. 

“Further, avalanches with high danger level are likely to occur above 2200 metres over Doda, Kishtwar, Poonch, Ramban, Kupwara and Ganderbal districts in the next 24 hours,” it said in an advisory and urged people living in these areas to take precautions and avoid venturing in the avalanche prone areas.

Former Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah, who was seen skiing in the snow a few days ago, also prayed for the missing skiers. 

"While the details are still sketchy some skiers are reportedly missing after an avalanche was triggered in the area around Gulmarg. It appears the skiers were skiing off the piste or groomed slopes in the ‘back country’. Days like today remind us that while the skiing is fun, the fresh powder exhilarating & the visuals spectacular, skiing is not without its dangers & risk to lives. Praying that all the missing skiers are found alive & the reports of a casualty end up being unfounded." Omar Abdullah wrote on X.