New Delhi: A major avalanche in Sikkim's Nathula area on Tuesday, April 4, caused the death of at least seven persons and nearly a dozen injuries.

Rescue operations had to be called off in the evening after another slide was recorded at 5:35 pm. The Indian Army said that it had also begun snowing, making the rescue ops dangerous.

It was unclear if more people were trapped under the snow.

Earlier, the injured individuals were being transported to a hospital in the state capital of Gangtok.

According to the news agency PTI, the avalanche occurred at Nathula Pass , which is located on the border with China and is a popular tourist destination. The avalanche occurred early in the morning at the 14th milestone on Jawaharlal Nehru Marg (JNM) and trapped approximately 25-30 tourists, according to PTI.

Swift rescue operations were launched by Border Roads Organisation, resulting in the rescue of 22 people, including six individuals from a deep valley. Additionally, approximately 350 individuals and 80 vehicles which were stranded on the road due to snow blockage from Nathula were also brought back by officials.

On calling off the rescue operations, the Indian Army said, "There was one more slide at the same location at 5:35 PM. It has also started snowing making the rescue ops dangerous. Accordingly, the rescue and search ops have been called off by the DC due to fear of more slides. The JNM Axis is closed now due to the slide."

Note: This is a developing story. More details will be added as they become available.

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