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Avalanches wreak havoc in Russia, Turkey
December 29, 1996
Web posted at: 12:30 p.m. EST (1730 GMT)MOSCOW (CNN) -- Rescue workers freed dozens of people Sunday trapped in a Caucasus mountain tunnel by an avalanche, but as many as 300 could still be inside.
Heavy snows along the highway that links Russia's North Ossetia region with the breakaway Georgia province South Ossetia have triggered avalanches and rock slides, including the one that cut off the 2.5 mile Roksky tunnel.
Workers have cleared 12 miles of highway but were stymied in their efforts to clear the tunnel by continued bad weather.
Doctors and rescue teams entered the tunnel on foot, bringing medical supplies and food. They feared a buildup of exhaust fumes would become a health hazard.
In Turkey, an avalanche believed to have been caused by vibrations from a snow-flattening machine killed at least six at a ski resort near Erzurum.
About 30 students from a local ski club were training when the avalanche struck.
Some 300 people have reportedly been killed by avalanches in the same region of eastern Turkey in the past three years.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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