The Border Road Organisation (BRO) on Tuesday rescued a total of 350 tourists stranded in east Sikkim after they were stuck in a sudden avalanche, defence sources said.

Quoting BRO Chief Engineer Brigadier Ahalawat, Defence Spokesman Lt. Col Mahendra Rawat said that BRO's project Swastik immediately launched a swift rescue operation after the tourists got trapped in a sudden avalanche at Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg on the National Highway 310.

Army rescues 350 tourists stranded in Sikkim after sudden snowfall
Army rescues 350 tourists stranded in Sikkim after sudden snowfallIANS

He said that six tourists were rescued from a deep valley and shifted to nearby hospitals. A woman remained buried for 1.5 hours under the snow before being rescued and sent to STNM Hospital.

Army rescues 350 tourists stranded in Sikkim after sudden snowfall
Army rescues 350 tourists stranded in Sikkim after sudden snowfallIANS

Rescue operations are under progress and further details are awaited.

(With inputs from IANS)