Canada Global (Web News) Rescuers have recovered the eighth and final body from an avalanche site in northern India, concluding a challenging operation in freezing temperatures, the army reported on Sunday.
The avalanche struck a construction camp near Mana village in Uttarakhand on Friday, burying more than 50 workers under snow and debris. Officials later revised the number of workers on-site from 55 to 54 after confirming one had safely left before the disaster.
Army deployed drones and a rescue dog to assist in search efforts. Survivor Anil, a construction worker in his late 20s, described his rescue as miraculous, saying they had little hope of survival. Many workers were asleep or in makeshift toilets when the avalanche hit, causing their steel container shelters to slide and collapse under the weight of the snow.
Avalanches and landslides are common in the Himalayas, especially in winter. Experts warn that climate change and rapid development in the region have increased risks, exacerbating the effects of deforestation and construction.