Afghanistan avalanches kill 15

2005-02-23 15:14

Kabul - At least 15 people were killed when avalanches hit their mud-brick villages in snowbound western Afghanistan, an official said Wednesday.

The deaths happened over the past week in mountainous areas of Ghor province which are cut off by heavy snowfalls, deputy provincial chief Ikramuddin Rezaie said by telephone.

In the worst incident, five people were buried alive in their house in Pasawand district, he said.

"Altogether 15 people have died in avalanches during the last one week," he added.

Earlier on Wednesday Afghanistan's public health minister said 90 children under five had died in Ghor from diseases sparked by the worst winter in a decade.

They were among at least 211 youngsters who have perished across the country in the cold snap.

Dozens of people have died in other avalanches and road accidents caused by the heavy snowfalls, including ten people who were killed when an avalanche struck in northern Panjshir valley on February 15.

- AFP