Sweden's The Local reported on a very tragic Avalanche incident at Gulmarg ski-resort, where a Swedish skier died while another was saved. The advisory issued the warning of the coming avalanche but, the skiers still went out skiing.
Daniel Akesson, 25, was a Swedish skier who lost his life. He lives in Stockholm Sweden. His companion, Benjamin Asbers, was saved by the rescue team.
“This afternoon the two skiers were washed away by a heavy avalanche at Hapatkhod, Apharwat in Gulmarg,” said a police official. The skiers come under the influence of the avalanche of the frozen glacier of almost thirty-feet high,” the police said.
Ignoring advisory
The weather advisory board had already issued a warning about avalanches. The ski-track was not open for skiing.
“The two skiers went to a remote area that is located on the left side of the main Gulmarg ski-track. It is dangerous for the skiers. Besides, blasting was not performed in the said area as it is already established that the area is prone to heavy avalanche,” says Showkat Ahmad, a skiing guide.
The rescue team evacuated Daniel and moved him to a nearby hospital. He was declared dead by the doctors. Benjamin lost consciousness. He was also hospitalized. His condition is improving, Times of India reported.
The Tourism Department of the state expressed deep sorrow about the incident.
Skiers are usually informed through fliers, internet and the ski-patrol team about such advisories.
Tassaduq Mufti, the newly appointed Minister of Tourism, expressed his concern about Daniel’s ill-fated death. He extended his condolences to the bereaved family of the deceased. He assured fast-track investigation into the incident.
Rescue operation
“We got a message of the heavy avalanche. Our ski-patrol rushed to the site instantly by snowmobiles. The team evacuated the skiers and brought them to the headquarters. We immediately took them to the hospital. The doctors examined both of them but found one, Daniel, dead. We are severely dejected by the incident,” says a spokesman of the Jammu And Kashmir Tourism Department.
The two skiers went out skiing without taking the advisory seriously. They reached a far-flung area of the resort where the episode took place.
“Daniel and the other person did not take a serious note of the advisory. He was heavily struck by the avalanche. He died. The body will be flown back to his native place from Srinagar International Airport,” the spokesman added.
Despite the warning, who allowed the two skiers to enter the ski-track? Gulmarg ski-resort is one of the world’s famous ski-resorts situated in the state of Jammu and Kashmir in Indian occupied Kashmir. Tourists, especially skiers come from around the world for winter sports and skiing.
