One died, nine injured in avalanche near Gomukh

DEHRA DUN: One person was killed and nine others, including four foreigners, were injured when an avalanche struck at Gomukh, origin of the Ganga, police said.
 
"The incident took place last evening near Gomukh area, 17 km north of the Gangotri shrine where they were trekking," Superintendent of Police, Uttarkashi district, Neelesh Anand Bharare said.
 
While Ram, a Sadhu, died on the spot, others received minor injuries.
 
Among the injured, one belonged to United Kingdom and other three are from United States. The other injured are from Mayapur area in West Bengal and Uttarakhand, he said.
 
The injured have been taken to Bhojwasa area where they are out of danger.
 
"We have rushed a medical team to Bhojwasa from Uttarkashi to examine them," Bharare said.
 
He said the injured will be brought back to Uttarkashi for further treatment.
 
Every year thousands of pilgrims and tourists visit Gomukh glaciers, the source of Ganga, undertaking a tough and arduous 18 km trek from Gangotri.
 
However, the forest department has decided to restrict the number of people visiting Gomukh to 150 per day from this year keeping in view the fragility of the Himalayan ecosystem.