After gathering two avalanches in Turkey during the day killed at least 41 people

At least 41 people were killed and 84 were injured within 24 hours after the disappearance of two avalanches from the mountains near the Eastern border of Turkey with Iran, said on Thursday the Management of emergencies and crises of Turkey (AFAD).

The avalanches occurred Tuesday and Wednesday in the Turkish province of van, between Bahari and Space.

At least 41 people have been killed and 84 injured after two avalanches hit the mountainside near Turkey’s eastern border with Iran in 24 hours, the Turkish Natural Disaster and Crisis Directorate said Thursday. https://t.co/tRASleq7s2

— CNN (@CNN) February 6, 2020

According to Turkish state media TRT, the second avalanche, which struck around midday Wednesday 5 February, led to the deaths of dozens of rescuers who went in search of people who disappeared on 4 February during a gathering of the first avalanche.

The scene was deployed a team of 180 employees search and rescue, and medical units and ambulances, according to AFAD on Thursday.

Two avalanches in eastern Turkey have killed dozens of people, most of them rescuers buried by the snowslide second as they worked to free people caught up in the first https://t.co/97jLk2QUAs pic.twitter.com/1asJOvN2c7

— Reuters (@Reuters) February 5, 2020

«Two mobile base station was introduced to prevent disorders of communication», — said AFAD.

On Tuesday, the first avalanche struck the mountain road. Under the snow was a van and snowblower. Five people were killed. Eight people were rescued alive after the disappearance of the first avalanche.

A rescue operation was deployed in the area to search for two people who could be buried in the snow. This was announced by the Chairman of the Federal police AFAD Osman Ukar. He is in the hospital. Among the wounded is also a former MP from the ruling party van Gulsen Orhan, who advised President Erdogan.

When crossing the second avalanche killed more than 30 rescuers.

Funeral ceremony held for Turkish soldiers killed while assisting in rescue operations after an avalanche hit Turkey’s Van province pic.twitter.com/CKshfVuuck

— TRT World Now (@TRTWorldNow) February 6, 2020

The Minister of health Fahrettin koca warned that the death toll could rise as local media reported that an unknown number of people may still be under snow.

The Governor of van Mehmet Emin Bilmez said rescue operations are continuing, despite heavy snowfall in the mountains and difficult winter conditions, causing problems with transportation.

Local media reported that nearby residents also joined the rescue operations in remote places in harsh winter conditions.

A special military plane with 75 officers, gendarmes and other rescuers were sent to the scene from Ankara, said AFAD and the Ministry of defence.

Last month in the Eastern province of iğdır there was a powerful earthquake by force 6,8 points, in which dozens of people died and more than 1,600 people were injured.

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