The rescue operation is ongoing
(Picture: Reuters)At least 20 people have died after an avalanche in Nyingchi in the southwestern region of Tibet.
The avalanche took place on a section of road between Pai village in Mainling county and the exit of the Doxong La tunnel in Medog county on Tuesday evening.
Local authorities said the snowslide trapped people in their vehicles in the Nyingchi region, located 3,040 metres above sea level.
Fifty-three survivors were found with five seriously injured, local government officials said.
At least eight people remain missing. A total of 696 rescue workers have been dispatched and the rescue work remains ongoing.
Many cars were overturned by the avalanche, which left the road covered in snow, a local resident who joined the rescue effort told local media.
Avalanches are common occurrences in the Himalayan region. In January, two labourers were killed in an avalanche in India administered Kashmir region.
At least 26 people died in October 2022 as a mountaineering expedition was caught in an avalanche on Mount Draupadi ka Danda-II in India.
