Search and rescue suspended at Turkey avalanche site

By Emre Ilikan

VAN, Turkey (AA) - Search and rescue efforts were suspended late Thursday at the site of two avalanches in eastern Turkey that killed at least 41 people, according to officials.

Van Governorate said rescue efforts will resume for a firefighter after an evaluation of weather and other conditions are completed Friday.

“Search and rescue activities will start after the evaluation of the technical committee on the Feb. 7 (Friday) with the daylight,” it said in a statement. “In the avalanche zone, where we reached three dead bodies today, professional teams will work to reach one firefighter who is considered to be under the avalanche.”

The Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) said 75 people were injured as search and rescue efforts continue.

The first avalanche buried a minibus in the Bahcesaray district of Van province Tuesday. A second avalanche struck a vehicle that was on a search and rescue mission Wednesday.

* Writing by Erdogan Cagatay Zontur