Swedish skier killed, another rescued after avalanche hits Gulmarg in north Kashmir

Srinagar/ Jammu: foreign tourist was killed whle another was rescued after an avalanche struck tourist resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district on Thursday, police said.
An official said that a Swedish tourist, identified as Daniel (25), was killed while another went missing after the avalanche struck near second phase of Gandola cable car project on Affarwat peak.
“Two tourists came under the avalanche and one of them was so far evacuated to nearby hospital by the rescuers where he was declared brought dead,” he said.
Soon, police launched a search operation and rescued the missing skier who was identified as Benjamin Asbers. He is also a resident of Sweden
Former chief minister Omar Abdullah has questioned how the two skiers who came under an avalanche in Gulmarg were allowed to ski despite an avalanche warning issued a day before. Soon after a skier died after coming under an avalanche in Gulmarg, Abdullah wrote on Twitter: “Very unfortunate. How were these skiers allowed to ski off piste considering that avalanche warnings had been issued 24 hours ago?”
Minister for Disaster Management, Relief Rehabilitation & Reconstruction Javaid Mustafa Mir Thursday made a statement in the legislative assembly regarding the Avalanche incident.
Mir said the injured is currently being treated at Tangmarg hospital. The body of Daniel has been retrieved and kept in Tangmarg hospital. He said the government will make arrangements for shifting the body of the deceased skier to his native place and extend all necessary treatment and support to the injured.
Responding to a point raised by MLA Mubarak Gul and MLA Altaf Ahmed Wani in the House, the Minister said that administration had already issued timely avalanche warnings and advisory for the visitors not to tread into avalanche prone areas.
He said the Government will enquire into the lapses and circumstances under which the authorities allowed them to the avalanche prone area despite advance warning.
The Minister expressed grief and sorrow over the tragic death of the Swedish skier and extended heartfelt condolences to his family on behalf of the State Government.