An avalanche is the rapid descent of a large amount of snow or ice coming down a sloped surface or mountain. For those living in foothills or the base of mountains in cold climes, avalanches are often a real and present danger. Listed below are some of the deadliest of such occurrences in recorded human history.
10. Kolka Glacier, North Ossetia, Russia, September 2002 (125 Deaths)
A partial collapse of the Kolka glacier claimed 125 lives on September 20, 2002. The avalanche occurred on the northern slopes of the Kazbek massif in North Ossetia, Russia. Among the casualties were a film crew of 27, including the famous Russian actor Sergei Bodrov, Jr. The avalanche also buried a large part of the Russian village of Nijni Karmadon under snow and debris.
9. Gayari Military Base, Ghanche, Pakistan, April 2012 (138 Deaths)
On April 7, 2012, an avalanche, occurring in the disputed Siachen region of Indo-Pakistan, claimed 138 victims. These included soldiers and civilian employees alike of the Northern Light Battalion at the Gayatri Military Base, Ghanche, Pakistan. This incident drew the attention of the governments of both India and Pakistan to resolve the Siachen dispute, which, since 1984, had led to the deaths of a large number of soldiers from both sides. These deaths were also primarily due to the harsh climatic conditions prevailing in the region.
