Avalanche kills one Russian skier in Gulmarg

The state tourism director said the Russians ignored an advisory to stay away from the avalanche-prone area.

A Russian skier was killed when he came under an avalanche in Gulmarg on Friday, police said, taking toll of skiers killed in the famed hill resort to two this winter.

The ski-resort of Gulmarg in Baramulla district of north Kashmir. (PTI File Photo)

“One Russian skier has come under avalanche in Gulmarg and died on spot. Four more skiers of the group were rescued,” a police spokesperson said.

On Thursday, authorities issued a “medium danger” alert for Baramulla, Gulmarg, Furkian-Z Gali and Kupwara-Chowkibal-Tangdhar areas based on information received from Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment SASE, Chandigarh.

The dead skier has been identified as Stanis Law, 30.

Last month, a skier from Sweden was killed and another injured when an avalanche hit a peak in Gulmarg.

Mehmood Ahmad Shah, the state tourism director, said the Russians ignored an advisory to stay away from the avalanche-prone area.

Avalanches and landslides are common in Kashmir. Last month, 11 people were killed after their vehicle was hit by an avalanche in Kupwara district.