At least 26 rescue workers were reported dead after they were buried under a second avalanche in eastern Turkey, authorities said on Feb. 5.
Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu said 30 people were rescued and taken to hospital.
Mehmet Emin Bilmez, governor of the eastern Van province, said the deceased include civilians, gendarmes, village guards and fire fighters.
Bilmez noted that the condition of nine of the rescued people was critical, while there was still no information on how many people are buried under the avalanche.
The rescue team members had been searching for survivors from an earlier avalanche in eastern Turkey when they themselves were engulfed by snow.
The number of casualties from the team is as yet unclear.
Bilmez told Anadolu Agency that intense search and rescue efforts are ongoing, and 15 ambulances were sent to the region.
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