Srinagar, July 8: More than 400 tourists, mostly foreigners who were trapped at Changla Pass in Leh since Saturday afternoon were rescued by joint teams of Police, Army and district administration Sunday morning.
 The Changla Pass is located in Ladakh region at an altitude of 17,590 feet above the sea level. The Pass falls en route to Pangong Lake, one third of which falls in India and the rest in China. The lake is one of the main attractions for tourists visiting Leh.
 Police said due to heavy landslide between Tangtsy and Leh on Saturday afternoon a portion of the road got washed away near Choltak and vehicles carrying passengers got stranded.
 Police said that with help Army and district administration all the stranded passengers were rescued and they reached Leh safely. They added that the some of the vehicles are yet on way from Chushul via Tsaga to Leh. “Everybody is safe. The stranded people were giving medical aid by the joint teams of States Medical Department and Army,” a senior police in Leh told Greater Kashmir. “We are monitoring the situation as snow is melting and land slides are coming,” he added.
 The police officer said that besides the locals, the vehicles were carrying the domestic as well foreign tourists. “Among the tourists foreigners were in good number,” he said.
 Udhampur based Public Relations Officer Ministry of Defence Lt Col Rajesh Kalia in statement said that a massive landslide occurred East  of Leh on road Tangtse–Chang La at approximately 10.45 am Saturday.  “A stretch of almost 250 meters of the road was blocked due to the landslide.  Almost 150 vehicles and approximately 400 civilians including ladies and children got stranded on the road,” the statement said.
 The statement added that Army soldiers deployed in the area swung into action immediately and provided assistance to the stranded tourists by evacuating them to safe places and Army Camp in Tangtse, where they were provided shelter, food, warm clothing and medical assistance. “Quick Reaction Medical Teams administered Oxygen and provided First Aid to tourists suffering from High Altitude sickness. One tourist was further evacuated by Army ambulance to Leh. Majority of the tourists have reached Leh safely by early morning on Sunday,” the statement said.
 “All efforts are being made by the Army and Border Road Organization (BRO) to expeditiously clear the road block.  Army units are on stand by to assist any stranded tourists. The road is likely to be opened soon,” it added.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 8 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 8 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 9 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST