Three Nepali tourists killed in Sikkim avalanche

Kathmandu: At least seven tourists, including three Nepali nationals, died in an avalanche on the Gangtok-Nathula road section of Sikkim.

The avalanche that hit on Tuesday along the Gangtok-Nathula road section of Sikkim killed at least seven people and injured a dozen, the Indian media reports said.

Among the dead were three Nepali nationals. According to a statement issued by Gangtok district collector, Tushar G Nikhare, the deceased Nepalis were Shiva Prasad Lamichhane and Ashika Dhakal, 22, of Chitwan and Muna Shah Shrestha, 29, of Rupandehi.

Arrangements are being made to hand over dead bodies to the concerned authorities, the statement added.

Three other Nepalis were also injured in the avalanche. The injured were identified as 40-year-old Gita Sapkota, 38-year-old Jyoti Gurung and 43-year-old Ramesh Khanal.