Rescuers call off search after avalanches kill 12 in mountainous area near Iran’s capital
- The Alborz mountain range where the avalanches occurred is a popular weekend destination for hiking and climbing
- Deadly avalanches are a rare phenomenon in Iran. In 2017, two avalanches killed 11 hikers
Iranian rescue workers ended their search for survivors on Sunday following a series of avalanches that killed 12 people in a mountainous area north of the capital, state TV reported.
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 Saturday.
The report 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.