AFP, March 23, 2010

At least 35 killed in Afghan avalanche: official

"Two representatives of the district got to the provincial capital after travelling for 13 days on snow-blocked roads and they informed us of the incident last night," he added.

Independent.ie: Police chief Aja Noor Kemtuz in Badakhshan province said the avalanche occurred two weeks ago. Afghan police and rescue workers arrived at the site Tuesday and recovered 30 bodies from the snow. Five others are still missing.

KUNDUZ, Afghanistan — An avalanche struck a remote mountain area of northern Afghanistan two weeks ago, killing at least 35 people and burying houses beneath the snow, a local official said Tuesday.

The disaster struck in Badakhshan province in the far north, but harsh weather and the remoteness of the province bordering China, Pakistan and Tajikistan meant local officials had to travel for weeks to seek help.

"An avalanche swept through five civilian houses in Arghanj Khowa district killing 35 people including men, women and children," said Marouf Rasikh, the spokesman for northern Badakhshan province.

"Two representatives of the district got to the provincial capital after travelling for 13 days on snow-blocked roads and they informed us of the incident last night," he added.

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