Border Roads Organisation (BRO) officials resumed the rescue operation on the Jawaharlal Nehru road in East Sikkim on Wednesday, where a massive avalanche killed at least seven people and trapped several others.
A massive avalanche hit the 15th Mile of the Jawaharlal Nehru road connecting Gangtok and Nathu La on Tuesday around 11.30 a.m.
Search and rescue operations were also carried out by the Army, the State Disaster Management Team, and the police.
However, due to inclement weather and the threat of new snow slides, the search and rescue operation was called off at 6 p.m.
According to officials, the avalanche killed seven tourists, including a minor girl, and injured 13 others.
Officials identified the deceased as Shiva Psd Lamichaney, Ashika Dhakal, Rebya Singh, Bal Singh, Sourav Roy Chaudhary, Pritam Matiy, and Muna Shah Shrestra.
In a statement, Gangtok District collector revealed “Among the 7 deceased we have identified three as Nepal nationals, and two each were from Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
“The Bengal victims will be taken in an ambulance, 2 from Uttar Pradesh will be flown while those from Nepal will be taken by road for which the State Social Welfare department is looking into the logistics of taking mortal remains.”