Army Rescues Trapped Tourists After Massive Avalanche Hits Nathu La In Sikkim. WATCH

In the video we can see snow piled up on the Gangtok-Natu La road near Milestone 15 in Sikkim and the rescue team digging out snow with spade to look for survivors.

There is also a small water fall that seems to make the rescue effort in the lower areas a little difficult ( Image Source :Special arrangement ABP News )

At least seven people have been killed and several others missing after a massive avalanche hit Nathu La mountain in Sikkim on Tuesday, reported news agency PTI. A little over 55 kilometres from the state capital Gangtok, Nathu La, is situated on the border with China and is a major tourist destination.

According to the defence sources 25-30 tourists have been trapped in the avalanche and the army along with the State Disaster Management Team and Police are carrying out search and rescue mission at Gangtok-Nathu La road where the avalanche struck early morning today.

#WATCH | Sikkim: Army, State Disaster Management Team and Police carry out search and rescue mission at Gangtok-Natu La road near Milestone 15 where an avalanche struck, claiming seven lives.

(Video: Indian Army) pic.twitter.com/7ZMDlH5SeP

— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2023

News agency ANI shared another video of Troops of Trishakti Corps of the Indian Army undertake the rescue mission to help people trapped in the avalanche. 

In the video we can see snow piled up on the Gangtok-Natu La road near Milestone 15 in Sikkim and the rescue team digging out snow with spade to look for survivors. They are also trying to clear the road for vehicular traffic in the region. There is also a small water fall that seems to make the rescue effort in the lower areas a little difficult. Machines have also been pressed into action to clear the heap of snow on the road.

#WATCH | Troops of Trishakti Corps, Indian Army undertake a rescue mission at Gangtok-Natu La road near Milestone 15 in Sikkim where an avalanche struck, claiming seven lives.

Seven others were administered first aid and returned to Gangtok. The road has been opened for traffic… pic.twitter.com/oCseR3HVKW

— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2023

In a video shared by PTI, one can see the army take out a survivor from under the heap of snow. 

VIDEO | Six tourists dead, several others feared trapped as massive avalanche hits #Nathula in Sikkim. pic.twitter.com/d7lT5AYyp1

— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) April 4, 2023

The injured are being brought to the state capital Gangtok's hospital.

"Swift rescue operations were launched by Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and 22 people were rescued till now including 6 from a deep valley," said a senior police official to PTI.

Some 350 people and 80 vehicles, which were stranded on the road because of the snow blocking the road from Nathu La, were also brought back, officials said.