LOWER CHITRAL (Kashmir English): Nine members of the same family, including five women, were killed after a devastating avalanche struck a house in the remote village of Domel in Lower Chitral district on Friday.
According to the officials, the tragic incident occurred in the Srigal village near the Pak-Afghan border in Lower Chitral.
According to the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Chitral, ten members of the same family were buried under the debris when the avalanche struck following intense snowfall.
Nine of them died, including five women and four men, while one child, identified as Muhammad Zubair, was rescued with sustained injuries and has been shifted to the nearby hospital. The bodies of the deceased have been recovered.
According to the DC office, the deceased were identified as Bacha, Razia, Haseena, Shabina, Shahina, Sadiqa, Irshad, Bilal, and Shaukat. District administration said the deceased included a father, his wife, and their children, including several daughters and sons.
President Asif Ali Zardari has expressed deep grief and sorrow over the loss of precious lives due to an avalanche in Chitral.
In a message, he extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased, praying for the elevation of the ranks of the departed souls.
The President said heavy rains, snowfall, and sudden extreme cold are clear indicators of a climate emergency. He emphasized that advance preparations and disaster mitigation in line with climate change are the need of the hour.
He directed federal, provincial, and local authorities to accelerate relief efforts in the affected areas and maintain constant communication with the public. He was also directed to ensure public safety and the provision of timely information through the effective use of modern technology.
