Intentionally Triggered Avalanche In Kirovsk, Russia Hits Town Damaging Buildings and Killing Up To Three
Kirovsk, Russia – At approximately 10:15 PM on February 18, 2016 a large avalanche hit the town of Kirovsk in the Murmansk Oblast region of northwestern Russia. The avalanche was intentionally triggered during avalanche control work in the vicinity of Kukisvumchorr Mountain – a popular winter sports destination.
The avalanche was triggered by the Emergency Situations Ministry and no warning was given to the town that they were performing avalanche control. The avalanche damaged buildings, snapped trees, broke windows, and buried cars – leaving the town covered in snow.
Approximately 90 rescuers responded to search for anyone buried in the avalanche debris. After completing the search, there was only one victim who was buried and killed in the avalanche. The avalanche victim was part of the local avalanche safety service that triggered the avalanche. Additional bodies were found later in up to 10 meters of snow.
Thirty thousand people live in Kirovsk, which is located in the Khibiny Mountains above the Arctic Circle.
Update 2/25: According to TheBarentsObserver.com, an additional two people have been found dead in this avalanche, bringing the total to three fatalities. The head of the mining company, Apatit’s, avalanche control unit has been arrested and will face charges of violation of safety rules.
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Read more about the avalanche in Kirovsk, Russia from these sources:
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Earlier this winter a large avalanche hit the town of Svalbard, Norway.
