Avalanche kills 35 in Afghanistan

An avalanche struck a remote mountainous area of northern Afghanistan two weeks ago, killing 35 people and burying homes beneath the snow, a provincial official said yesterday.
The disaster struck in Badakhshan province in the far north, but harsh weather and the remoteness of the province bordering China, Pakistan and Tajikistan meant local officials had to travel for weeks to seek help.
"An avalanche swept through five civilian houses in Arghanj Khowa district killing 35 people including men, women and children," said Marouf Rasikh, the spokesman for northern Badakhshan province.
"Two representatives of the district got to the provincial capital after travelling for 13 days on snow-blocked roads and they informed us of the incident last night," he added.
Rasikh told AFP that the area was covered in about three metres (ten feet) of snow, hampering any rescue efforts and attempts to bury the dead.
"Snow closes roads and leaves many villages isolated every winter in Badakhshan province," he said. "An emergency committee is meeting here tomorrow with the Nato forces to see if we can offer any help via air and helicopters."