Multiple avalanches have claimed at least 28 lives in eastern Turkey following the latest winter storm to strike the region.
An initial avalanche struck late Tuesday, claiming three lives in Van Province, according to the Associated Press.
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Emergency service members dig in the snow around at least three overturned vehicles, near the town of Bahcesehir, in Van province, eastern Turkey, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. Some dozens of rescue workers are missing after being hit by an avalanche while on a mission to find two people missing in a previous snow slide. The emergency services were called to a highway in near the mountain-surrounded town in Van Province, which borders Iran, after an avalanche struck late Tuesday, burying a snow-clearing vehicle and a minibus. (DHA via AP) |
Around 300 emergency workers were called to the scene of the first avalanche in an attempt to save those buried along a mountain road.
As rescue efforts continued into Wednesday, a second avalanche occurred and buried dozens of the rescuers under feet of snow.
Rescue efforts resumed following the second avalanche, with early reports claiming at least 28 fatalities between the two events.
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Emergency service members work in the snow around overturned vehicles, near the town of Bahcesehir, in Van Province, eastern Turkey, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. (Yilmaz Sonmez/IHA via AP) |
Around 30 people were pulled from the snow and hospitalized after the second avalanche.
An unknown number of rescuers remain trapped beneath the snow as of Wednesday afternoon local time.
Snow, strong winds and poor visibility were affecting rescue efforts.
AccuWeather meteorologists say some improvement in the weather is expected from Wednesday night into Thursday, but another storm system will bring more snow and strong winds to the region from Friday into the weekend.