At least 25 people have been killed while eight have sustained injuries and several are still feared trapped in debris following a massive landslide due to heavy snowfall in the eastern Afghanistan province of Nuristan.
A disaster management ministry spokesman told reporters on Monday that earth, snow and rubble swept through the village of Nakre in the Tatin valley of Nuristan, leaving at least 20 houses either destroyed or severely damaged.
“As a result of the landslide, some 25 people have been killed and eight injured,” spokesman Janan Sayeq told the media via a video message.
He added that the death toll may rise further.
Rescue operation have begun, but provincial officials said their efforts were hampered by heavy snow.
“Due to clouds and rain, the helicopter cannot land in Nuristan,” said Mohammad Nabi Adel, the head of public works in the province.
Adel further stated that snow had blocked one of the main roads into the province, making “the rescue operation difficult.”
Nuristan province, which borders Pakistan, is mostly covered by mountainous forests and hugs the southern end of the Hindu Kush mountain range.
Several officials quoted by media said that this year the country has witnessed late snowfall.