Search on for Afghan avalanche victims

Wednesday, 6 February, 2002, 15:17 GMT
Search on for Afghan avalanche victims

Dozens of people are feared to have been buried in an avalanche near the recently-reopened Salang Tunnel connecting north and south Afghanistan, the United Nations says.

"Attempts are under way to save the people and get them out," Yusuf Hassan a UN spokesman in Kabul, told a news conference.

"At least 20 vehicles have been trapped," he said.

Mr Hassan said the UN had received a call for help from the interim authority but that there was no snow clearing equipment in the vicinity of the tunnel, which is located on a steep mountain pass about 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Kabul.

Recently reopened

The UN has joined efforts with teams from the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Security Assistance Force, he said.

Mr Hassan said the route is mainly used by buses, minibuses and trucks travelling between Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif in the north.

People returning to the capital said a traffic jam had developed about 100 kilometres (60 miles) north of Kabul on the road to the Salang Tunnel.

The Soviet-built Salang - the world's highest tunnel at 4,100 metres (13,350 feet) - was reopened to traffic only last month after being blocked for years by fighting.


				This article was reproduced with the kind permission of the British Broadcasting Corporation

		Wednesday, 6 February, 2002, 15:17 GMT Search on for Afghan avalanche victims There is no snow clearing equipment in the vicinity of the tunnel Dozens of people are feared to have been buried in an avalanche near the recently-reopened Salang Tunnel connecting north and south Afghanistan, the United Nations says. "Attempts are under way to save the people and get them out," Yusuf Hassan a UN spokesman in Kabul, told a news conference. "At least 20 vehicles have been trapped," he said. Mr Hassan said the UN had received a call for help from the interim authority but that there was no snow clearing equipment in the vicinity of the tunnel, which is located on a steep mountain pass about 80 kilometres (50 miles) north of Kabul. Recently reopened The UN has joined efforts with teams from the International Committee of the Red Cross and the International Security Assistance Force, he said. Mr Hassan said the route is mainly used by buses, minibuses and trucks travelling between Kabul and Mazar-e-Sharif in the north. People returning to the capital said a traffic jam had developed about 100 kilometres (60 miles) north of Kabul on the road to the Salang Tunnel. The Soviet-built Salang - the world's highest tunnel at 4,100 metres (13,350 feet) - was reopened to traffic only last month after being blocked for years by fighting.