Deadly avalanches strike eastern Turkey and more heavy snow is on the way
By
Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Feb 5, 2020 3:04 PM EDT
Multiple avalanches have claimed at least 41 lives in eastern Turkey following a winter storm that buried region earlier in the week.
An initial avalanche struck late Tuesday, claiming three lives in Van Province, according to the Associated Press.
Emergency service members dig in the snow around at least three overturned vehicles, near the town of Bahcesehir, in Van province, eastern Turkey, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. Some dozens of rescue workers are missing after being hit by an avalanche while on a mission to find two people missing in a previous snow slide. The emergency services were called to a highway in near the mountain-surrounded town in Van Province, which borders Iran, after an avalanche struck late Tuesday, burying a snow-clearing vehicle and a minibus. (DHA via AP)
Around 300 emergency workers were called to the scene of the first avalanche in an attempt to save those buried along a mountain road.
As rescue efforts continued into Wednesday, a second avalanche occurred and buried dozens of the rescuers under feet of snow.
Rescue efforts resumed following the second avalanche, with early reports claiming five deaths from the first avalanche and at least 36 from the second.
Emergency service members work in the snow around overturned vehicles, near the town of Bahcesehir, in Van Province, eastern Turkey, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. (Yilmaz Sonmez/IHA via AP)
More than 50 people were pulled from the snow and hospitalized after the second avalanche.
An unknown number of rescuers remain trapped beneath the snow as of Wednesday afternoon local time.
Snow, strong winds and poor visibility were affecting rescue efforts.
Conditions improved slightly on Thursday as rescue efforts continued, but another storm is already sweeping through eastern Turkey.
This storm will bring rounds of valley rain and mountain snow to the area through Saturday.
Over 30 cm (12 inches) of snowfall is forecast to accumulate in the mountains of Van Province with even higher amounts possible in the tallest peaks.
Heavy snow and a return of strong winds will once again create blowing snow and reduce visibility. This can hinder any ongoing rescue and recovery efforts as well as increase the risk of additional avalanches.
Conditions are expected to improve again through rest of the weekend and continue into the beginning of next week.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com for the latest updates on this storm and your forecast.
Report a Typo
News / Winter Weather
Deadly avalanches strike eastern Turkey and more heavy snow is on the way
By Eric Leister, AccuWeather senior meteorologist
Published Feb 5, 2020 3:04 PM EDT
Multiple avalanches have claimed at least 41 lives in eastern Turkey following a winter storm that buried region earlier in the week.
An initial avalanche struck late Tuesday, claiming three lives in Van Province, according to the Associated Press.
Emergency service members dig in the snow around at least three overturned vehicles, near the town of Bahcesehir, in Van province, eastern Turkey, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. Some dozens of rescue workers are missing after being hit by an avalanche while on a mission to find two people missing in a previous snow slide. The emergency services were called to a highway in near the mountain-surrounded town in Van Province, which borders Iran, after an avalanche struck late Tuesday, burying a snow-clearing vehicle and a minibus. (DHA via AP)
Around 300 emergency workers were called to the scene of the first avalanche in an attempt to save those buried along a mountain road.
As rescue efforts continued into Wednesday, a second avalanche occurred and buried dozens of the rescuers under feet of snow.
Rescue efforts resumed following the second avalanche, with early reports claiming five deaths from the first avalanche and at least 36 from the second.
Emergency service members work in the snow around overturned vehicles, near the town of Bahcesehir, in Van Province, eastern Turkey, Wednesday, Feb. 5, 2020. (Yilmaz Sonmez/IHA via AP)
More than 50 people were pulled from the snow and hospitalized after the second avalanche.
An unknown number of rescuers remain trapped beneath the snow as of Wednesday afternoon local time.
Related:
Snow, strong winds and poor visibility were affecting rescue efforts.
Conditions improved slightly on Thursday as rescue efforts continued, but another storm is already sweeping through eastern Turkey.
This storm will bring rounds of valley rain and mountain snow to the area through Saturday.
Over 30 cm (12 inches) of snowfall is forecast to accumulate in the mountains of Van Province with even higher amounts possible in the tallest peaks.
Heavy snow and a return of strong winds will once again create blowing snow and reduce visibility. This can hinder any ongoing rescue and recovery efforts as well as increase the risk of additional avalanches.
Conditions are expected to improve again through rest of the weekend and continue into the beginning of next week.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com for the latest updates on this storm and your forecast.
Report a Typo