As per the Turkish Natural Disaster and Crisis Directorate, twin avalanches in just a span of 24 hours have killed 41 people. Along with this, 84 people were injured. The avalanche took place at the eastern border of Turkey with Iran in Van-Bahcesaray highway in Turkey's Van province on Tuesday as well as Wednesday.
It was the second avalanche, which was more potent. It hit around midday Wednesday and resulted in the deaths of many rescuers who had gone in to rescue people from the first avalanche, as per the Turkish State Media.
Since then, around 180 search and rescue workers have been deployed. Not only this, a few ambulances as well as medical units have also been deployed. To prevent disruption in communication, around two mobile base stations were also brought in.
The first avalanche had hit on Tuesday, which struck a mountain road stretch, which caused a snow clearing vehicle and minibus to pummel. Thus, five people were killed and eight of them were injured.
Several of the images of Tuesday night have shown upturned vehicles wherein rescuers worked looking for the survivors. It was then that 180 rescuers which included civilians, firefighters, soldiers and village guards were deployed to look for two people, who were believed to have been buried in the snow.
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