A deadly avalanche struck a construction site in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand, trapping dozens of workers and leaving at least four dead.
The disaster occurred on Friday in the Chamoli district, close to the India-China border, as heavy snowfall blanketed the region.
Fifty-five workers were initially buried under the snow. Rescuers managed to pull out 50, but four later succumbed to their injuries. The search continues for the remaining five workers, though efforts are being hindered by severe weather, including snowstorms and poor visibility.
Rescue teams, including around 170 soldiers and medical personnel, are working in treacherous conditions to save lives. The injured are being evacuated to hospitals in Joshimath, about 50 km away, using helicopters when weather permits. However, heavy snowfall and communication challenges have slowed operations.
The workers were part of a highway expansion project connecting Mana village to the Mana Pass. This ecologically fragile region is prone to avalanches and landslides, and experts warn that large-scale infrastructure projects are increasing the risks.
This is not the first tragedy in the area. In 2022, an avalanche claimed the lives of 27 mountaineers, while in 2021, a devastating rock and ice slide damaged hydropower plants and killed over 200 people. Geologists point to global warming as a major factor, making the frozen soil more unstable and disasters more frequent.
Rescue teams continue to fight against time and nature, hoping to find the missing workers before conditions worsen further.