At least 25 killed in Pakistan avalanche

At least 25 people were killed after they were buried in an avalanche while digging for gemstones in a remote area of north-western Pakistan, a regional police chief said today.

Ataullah Wazir said the incident happened yesterday in the area of Kohistan, 210 miles north-east of Peshawar, where snow has fallen in recent weeks.

The area is rich with precious stones, which local villagers sell in the open market.

Wazir said rescuers with the help of local villagers were trying to pull out the bodies.

“We have found some bodies, but most are still to be recovered,” he said in Kohistan.

Wazir gave no further details, and said they learned of the incident late because of the remoteness of the area.