Siachen avalanche survivor Hanumanthappa dies  

NEW DELHI: An Indian soldier who survived being trapped under 25 feet (8 metres) of snow for six days after being caught in an avalanche died in hospital on Thursday.

Hanumanthappa Koppad and nine colleagues were buried alive after a mass of snow collapsed on their post on the Siachen Glacier.

Although presumed dead, Hanumanthappa, was found with a pulse by rescue workers using shovels and chainsaws to cut through the ice and snow to reach the buried soldiers at a height of 19,600 feet (6,000 metres).

He was unconscious and taken to military hospital in New Delhi three days ago.

The army said he died after suffering multiple organ failure, pneumonia and blood clotting.

"He leaves us sad and devastated," Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on his Twitter page. "The soldier in you remains immortal. Proud that martyrs like you served India."

Last month, four Indian soldiers were killed by an avalanche while on patrol in the same region.