Department of Tourism has expressed “deep shock” over the death of a Swedish skier who came under n avalanche on Thursday near the region of Hapat Khud (gorge) outside Gulmarg ski area.
Minister of Tourism Tassaduq Mufti has also expressed grief over the skier’s death and conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family members, said a spokesman.
The deceased skier, identified as Daniel (25), was a Swedish resident. His compatriot Benjamin Asbers, 24, was rescued alive.
Daniel was evacuated and shifted to nearby hospital by the Ski Petrol Team but was declared brought dead by doctors.
“At 13:30, ski patrol team received report of avalanche involving two persons. The ski patrol arrived to the site immediately with the aid of snowmobiles. The ski petrol team shovelled out the skier who was unconscious and transported him to ski patrol headquarters where doctors evaluated the body and shortly after pronounced him dead,” said the spokesman.
“Since opening of phase II gondola in 2018 all guests have been informed about the avalanche dangers.”
He said the department through its Snow Safety Officer Brian Newman stationed at Gulmarg had already issued avalanche advisory yesterday evening and warned that even a single skier can trigger avalanches.
The department has set up multiple points of information at Gulmarg Gondola, through the Internet and ski-patrol team to make skiers aware about the advisory, said the spokesman.
“The skiers were informed not to exit ski area. It appears the victims triggered the avalanche and the deceased was carried over a frozen waterfall estimated at 30 feet in height. This is likely to have contributed to trauma which resulted in his death,” he said.
“It remains the endeavour of the department to have adequate safety arrangements in place for which Brian Newman was hired as snow safety officer for this year’s ski season,” he added. “Brian is assisted by a team of 16 ski patrollers to carry out the rescue and also trigger avalanches within the inbound ski area to render the slopes safe.”
He said the skier “ignored the advisory and has ventured into the outbound ski area where he was caught in an avalanche.”
The dead body was later on shifted to Tangmarg and will be transferred to Srinagar police control room where from it will be flown back to his home country, he said.
“The department would like to clarify that the accident occurred in the back-country ski area which are the higher reaches of the Affarwath mountain and can be accessed by professional and advanced skiers only. Domestic tourists do not venture into this remote territory,” he said.