NDMA team launches search for bodies

Susoom tragedy

CHITRAL: A 12-member team of the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) on Tuesday reached Susoom village in Lotkoh valley to join the search for the bodies of the eight students who were buried alive under an avalanche.

It was learnt that the experts started their work, but couldn’t continue the search to the intensity of the sunlight and fear of being hit by another avalanche. Leader of the NDMA’s team Assistant Director Tariq told reporters that they had carried out assessment of the spot to search for the bodies.

He said that personnel of the Chitral Scouts, Chitral Police and local people were also helping the team of experts to search for the bodies.  It was learnt that sniffer dogs were also used to locate the bodies of the students, but to no avail. Commandant Chitral Scouts Colonel Nizamuddin, District Nazim Maghfirat Shah and Deputy Commissioner Osama Ahmad Warraich also visited the site.