Avalanche kills six and traps dozens in Afghanistan

A snow-covered mountain range near Kabul, the capital of Afghanistan. Half a dozen people died in an avalanche in Nuristan province. AFP

An avalanche killed six people and trapped 30 more in eastern Afghanistan, a provincial official said on Monday, after heavy snow fell across much of the country.

“It is still snowing. Rescue efforts are under way and the number of dead may increase,” Jamiullah Hashimi, Nuristan’s head of information and culture, told AFP.

The avalanche swept through the village of Nakre, in the province’s Tatin valley, overnight on Sunday, burying homes under snow and rubble.

About 20 houses were destroyed or heavily damaged, Mr Hashimi said.

Bad weather has hindered rescue operations in the province, with helicopters unable to land.

Twenty people are missing, local media reported.

Afghanistan is prone to natural disasters, including earthquakes, drought and avalanches.

Nuristan, which borders Pakistan, is also prone to flash flooding and landslides.

Twelve people were killed in an avalanche near the border with Pakistan in February 2022.