Ten people died after an avalanche hit at Khardongla pass, the highest motorable road around 7 in the morning on January 18.

Rescuers pulled out nine dead bodies and the body parts of the last person so far.

Proceedings under 174 CrPC are initiated.  

The rescue operation continued for eight days till January 25 by the team of SDRF, Army, GREF, and volunteers.

The deceased hailing from Zanskar region was hired by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to collect snow. According to the sources, HAL required snow for a helicopter trial landing for which 10 people, two tippers and a Scorpio was hired. The team left towards K-top area early morning to load snow to Leh. After loading one tipper with snow, the mishap occurred when they were loading another vehicle. Digging work in the area triggered the avalanche, thus burying all ten people under snow.

To enquire about the accident a team of Assistant Labour Commissioner and Tehsildar, Leh was appointed by Avny Lavasa, DC, Leh. 

Ghulam Nabi Tak, Assistant Labour Commissioner said, “We have taken the statements from HAL, drivers of the tippers and concern people. The report is already submitted to the Deputy Commissioner”.

“We have also taken up with the Labour Department for the compensation under Labour Contract Act and Employees compensation act to the family of the deceased’, he added.

Governor Satya Pal Malik announced an ex-gratia relief of ₹ 5 Lakh to the families of deceased.