A residential building collapsed after a massive snow avalanche struck Damel, a hilly village in Darosh tehsil of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Chitral district. The tragic incident claimed the lives of nine people from one family.

According to Rescue 1122, the avalanche destroyed the house, trapping family members under heavy snow and debris. Rescue teams faced serious difficulties in reaching the remote site due to rough terrain and harsh weather.

Also Read: Death toll rises to 67 in Gul Plaza tragedy

Rescue 1122 Darosh dispatched two ambulances and medical teams soon after receiving the alert. Officials said 10 people were buried under the rubble. Eight bodies were recovered earlier, while search and debris removal operations continued to locate others.

The Deputy Commissioner’s control room later confirmed that nine people had died in the incident, while one child was injured. The injured child and the bodies will be shifted from Damel Nisar to Chitral city.

President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the loss of precious lives in the Chitral avalanche. In his condolence message, he extended heartfelt sympathies to the bereaved families and prayed for patience and strength for them.

The president said heavy rain, snowfall, and sudden extreme cold are clear signs of a climate emergency. He stressed that planning and damage control in line with climate change are now essential.

Also Read: Sindh CM approves Rs21.53 billion to revive Karachi roads

President Zardari directed federal, provincial, and local authorities to speed up relief efforts in affected areas. He also urged constant public communication and effective use of modern technology to ensure timely information and public safety.