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Afghan tunnel avalanches kill 24 Afghan tunnel avalanches kill 28
(about 5 hours later)
A series of avalanches around a mountain tunnel in Afghanistan has killed at least 24 people and left hundreds more stranded, officials say. A series of avalanches around a mountain tunnel in Afghanistan has killed at least 28 people and left hundreds more stranded, officials say.
Some 70 people have been injured, and officials fear the number of casualties could rise further.
The avalanches - following several days of heavy snow - hit the area around the Salang Tunnel, high in the Hindu Kush.The avalanches - following several days of heavy snow - hit the area around the Salang Tunnel, high in the Hindu Kush.
Officials fear the number of casualties could rise as rescuers make their way to the areas worst hit. Meanwhile, an Indian soldier was killed and 13 others rescued after a second avalanche in two days in Kashmir.
Meanwhile an Indian soldier was killed and 13 others rescued after a second avalanche in two days in Kashmir.
The snow struck an army post in Indian-administered Kashmir along the Line of Control adjoining Pakistani-administered Kashmir, officials say.The snow struck an army post in Indian-administered Kashmir along the Line of Control adjoining Pakistani-administered Kashmir, officials say.
At least 17 Indian soldiers were killed on Monday after an avalanche hit a military training camp in Indian-administered Kashmir, the army said.At least 17 Indian soldiers were killed on Monday after an avalanche hit a military training camp in Indian-administered Kashmir, the army said.
'Dangerous''Dangerous'
Afghan officials say some of the victims froze to death in cars or were overcome by exhaust fumes in the Salang Tunnel.Afghan officials say some of the victims froze to death in cars or were overcome by exhaust fumes in the Salang Tunnel.
The tunnel is the main route from the Afghan capital, Kabul, to the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif.The tunnel is the main route from the Afghan capital, Kabul, to the northern city of Mazar-e-Sharif.
Relief teams are still trying to clear the route near the tunnel, they added.Relief teams are still trying to clear the route near the tunnel, they added.
Officials say that a blizzard struck the busy road on Monday, leading to an avalanche that buried people in their vehicles.Officials say that a blizzard struck the busy road on Monday, leading to an avalanche that buried people in their vehicles.
"The bodies of 24 of our compatriots have been found so far," Interior Minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar said. Afghan Interior Minister Mohammad Hanif Atmar fended off questions as to why the road was open in the first place, insisting the situation had appeared manageable until the storm unexpectedly struck.
"There could be up to 40 more still stranded and unfortunately they might have died already. That is the best estimate that we have at this moment."
Mr Atmar fended off questions as to why the road was open in the first place, insisting the situation had appeared manageable until the storm unexpectedly struck.
"All of a sudden, a storm hit the area which resulted in a number of avalanches hitting the main highway and closing the road for up to 3.5km (two miles)," he said."All of a sudden, a storm hit the area which resulted in a number of avalanches hitting the main highway and closing the road for up to 3.5km (two miles)," he said.
Acting Public Works Minister Suhrab Ali Safari told the Associated Press that rescuers are working from the north and south to clear the road.Acting Public Works Minister Suhrab Ali Safari told the Associated Press that rescuers are working from the north and south to clear the road.
Mr Safari said that soldiers, police and local people were all helping in the rescue effort.Mr Safari said that soldiers, police and local people were all helping in the rescue effort.
"Everybody is trying to rescue the people who are stuck in the avalanche. But while we're clearing one part of the road, the storm covers another part of the road again. It's very difficult," he said."Everybody is trying to rescue the people who are stuck in the avalanche. But while we're clearing one part of the road, the storm covers another part of the road again. It's very difficult," he said.
The defence ministry said that around 1,500 people stranded by the avalanches since Monday afternoon had already been rescued.The defence ministry said that around 1,500 people stranded by the avalanches since Monday afternoon had already been rescued.