Swiss tourist killed in avalanche in Gulmarg, two others rescued
Srinagar: A tourist from Switzerland was killed and two of his team of six skiers were rescued after an avalanche struck them while skiing in Gulmarg in Kashmir on Friday. Gulmarg is a famous tourist resort in Jammu and Kashmir, the northern-most state of India bordering China and Pakistan. Foreigners and domestic tourists from the plains throng the resort especially during the winter for adventures in the snow, although the Kashmir region has been plagued by stepped up militant secessionism since 1987.
The tourist who died has been identified as Arno Roiyer, 59. The avalanche hit the resort between Kangdoori and Afferwath in the higher reaches at a point called Hapath Khod. There were six skiers in the Swiss team. Three of them were trapped while skiing in the slopes by the avalanche and two were rescued from the snow with minor injuries.
The District Magistrate, Baramulla, has been asked to look into the mishap and report within five days. The legal formalities are being completed and the embassy in Delhi has been informed of the tourist's death. The police said the authorities had issued warning to visitors of dangers from the snowfall. Kashmir has been experiencing heavy snowfall for the past one week.
