Many die in Tajikistan avalanche

However, the emergency ministry contradicted the death toll, saying that a minimum of two people were killed in the avalanche.

 

“Rescuers have so far reported two people killed but because of bad weather they are only able to phone in occasionally,” Munira Nazariyeva, the minsitry spokeswoman, said on Saturday.

 

 

“There are still people under snow, we cannot say how many at the moment. The rescue operation continues,” she said.

 

 

   

The vital link usually closed for the winter season, stayed open this year thanks to the newly built $31 million Anzob tunnel that goes under a snow-covered pass.