5 Amarnath pilgrims die in 36 hours, toll rises to 24

July 14, 2023 23:16

An SDRF jawan carries an elderly pilgrim on his back on her return from the Amarnath Yatra/ANI

Five Amarnath pilgrims died in the past 36 hours, taking the death toll during this year's yatra in the south Kashmir Himalayas to 24, officials said on Friday.

The five victims who died in since Thursday morning included a sadhu, they said.

Most of the pilgrims died of cardiac arrest, the officials added.

While four people died on the Pahalgam axis of the yatra, one death occurred on the Baltal route, they said.

The pilgrims belonged to Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Gujarat.

One victim is yet to be identified.

These five deaths have taken the toll during the yatra so far this year to 24.

Among the victims are an Indo-Tibetan Border Police officer posted on yatra duty, a sadhu and a sevadar, according to the officials.

Cardiac arrest triggered by low oxygen concentration at high altitudes is one of the most common causes of fatalities among Amarnath pilgrims and security forces posted there. -- PTI

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