Search for survivors ends after deadly avalanches in Iran
27 December 2020, 19:04
A total of 12 people were killed in a mountainous area north of the capital Tehran.
Iranian rescue workers have ended their search for survivors following a series of avalanches that killed 12 people in a mountainous area north of the capital Tehran.
The avalanches struck in four different areas on Friday following strong winds and snowfall a day earlier.
The Alborz mountain range where the avalanches occurred is a popular weekend destination for hiking and climbing. Fridays are a day off for most Iranian workers.
State TV aired footage showing emergency crews using a helicopter to search for the missing.
Iran’s Red Crescent Society also released photos of rescue workers unloading body bags from a helicopter on Saturday.
Stave TV said 11 people were found dead and one died after being transferred to a hospital.
It said rescue teams found 14 missing people during the operation.
Authorities said many had disregarded reports by the meteorological office about possible strong winds on Friday.
Deadly avalanches are a rare phenomenon in Iran although in 2017, two avalanches killed 11 hikers.
