Nine of family killed in Chitral avalanche, child survives

At least nine members of a single family were killed when an avalanche struck their house in the remote Sarigal Damil area of Arandu in Chitral district, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, officials said on Friday, Aaj News reported.

The incident occurred after heavy snowfall triggered a massive snow slide, causing the house to collapse and bury 10 people under the debris.

Local residents immediately launched rescue efforts and managed to recover nine bodies from the rubble. An eight-year-old child, identified as Zabeer, was pulled out alive from beneath the snow in what locals described as a miraculous rescue.

The deceased were identified as 35-year-old Bacha Khan, his 34-year-old wife Roziya Bibi, and their children: 15-year-old Hasina, 13-year-old Shabina, 11-year-old Irshad Ahmed, 10-year-old Shaheena, seven-year-old Sadiqa, five-year-old Shoukat Ahmed, and three-year-old Bilal.

Rescue operations were carried out jointly by local volunteers, Pakistan Army units, and the Chitral Scouts, officials said.

Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari expressed deep sorrow over the loss of lives in the avalanche. In a statement, he extended condolences to the bereaved family and prayed for the departed souls.

The president said heavy rainfall and snowfall were clear indicators of climate-related emergencies and stressed the need for timely measures to minimise losses. He directed federal and provincial authorities to accelerate relief efforts in affected areas and ensure public safety.