05 March 2011, 23:00
In Dagestan, rescuers save 15 persons from snow captivity, one man died
As reported by the regional Ministry for Emergencies (MfE), in the Kazbek District of Dagestan, local rescuers saved 15 residents who got under a snow avalanche; one person died.
"At 10:55 a.m. Moscow time, the MfE received a message from the Gertma village administration head, Kazbek District, saying that three miles to the west of the village of Starye Zubutli eight persons got blocked in snowdrifts up to five feet high," said the Ministry's spokesman.
Later, eight more persons went to help them and also got into snow captivity in one of the gorges.
According to the source, at 4:08 p.m. Moscow time a helicopter evacuated 13 persons and one casualty from the place of the accident; two persons independently managed to get to the village of Gertma, the RIA "Novosti" reports. One of the rescued persons got his feet frostbitten; he was hospitalized, the "Interfax" reports.
