One Dead After 6 Swiss Skiers Caught in Avalanche @ Gulmarg Ski Resort, India

Six Swiss skiers were caught in an inbounds avalanche at Gulmarg ski resort in India on Friday, January 24th, 2014.  One of the Swiss skiers, a 59-year-old male, did not survive the avalanche while his 2 of his 5 companions were injured in the event.

“The three people were skiing in the upper reaches of Gulmarg when the avalanche hit the area. All three were trapped, while two were rescued, Roy died before the rescue team could reach.” – Ghulam Mohammad Khawaja, district commissioner, Baramulla.

Gulmarg reportedly received its heaviest snowfall in 10 years this week.  On Wednesday, local police evacuated 20 families from avalanche prone areas in various parts of the valley where Gulmarg lays.  Heavy snowfall and avalanche warnings had been issued in the Gulmarg area beginning on Wednesday.

The 5 surviving skiers were reportedly rescued by local rescue teams.

Gulmarg is a ski resort in the Kashmir region of India that is popular among powder skiers and backcountry skiers.  The ski resort tops out at over 13,000-feet.  Gulmarg is located in the Bar Baramula district in the Indian state of Jammu and Kashmir and is within miles of the famous Line of Control between India and Pakistan, the most militarized border on Earth.