ASTORE: At least nine people have lost their lives, and 25 others sustained injuries in a snow avalanche that hit Astore district, Gilgit Baltistan on Saturday, according to officials.

Deputy Inspector General of Police for Diamer-Astore Division, Tufail Mir, informed said that the avalanche struck nine people near Shunter Pass during the early hours of the day.

Among the deceased were three women, he added. Mir said that rescue teams were facing challenges in reaching the affected area due to its remote location and difficult terrain.

Furthermore, communication difficulties were also impeding the officials’ efforts.

Muhammad Riaz, a police official from the area, told AFP that residents were taking the lead in the rescue operation in the difficult-to-reach area.

Meanwhile, Diamer-Astore Division Commissioner Altamash Janjua said one body was retrieved while 11 injured were being moved to the district headquarters hospital for treatment, adding that the injured were out of danger.

GB Chief Minister Khalid Khurshid Khan expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives and instructed local authorities to initiate rescue operations.

He called upon the secretary interior, director general of GBDMA (Gilgit Baltistan Disaster Management Authority) and other officials to look into the incident immediately.