According to the latest survey, the Aru avalanche occurring on the 17th is actually a “glacier slide”, with a mass of up to 600 million cubic meters. It is currently still within the 72 hour golden search and rescue period, and the rescue team still hasn’t given up on their search for the nine missing farmers.

"Snow avalanche" is a glacial avalanche – the collapse body is equivalent to a large-scale reservoir

According to the avalanche onsite survey from the rescue headquarters, the avalanche took place at the glacier between two snow mountains. It was eight kilometers long, five kilometers wide, had an average thickness of 20 meters and the thickest part was 30 meters. The avalanche mass reached up to 600 million cubic meters, which is equivalent to the capacity of a large reservoir. An avalanche of this scale is extremely rare in the history of glacial avalanches around the world. Glacial avalanches are different to snow avalanches; the former refers to the collapse of glacial ice and is caused by changes in climate, whereas snow avalanches are mainly caused by thick snow. Rescue after a glacial avalanches are more difficult.

Rescue continues on-site where five channels are being dug simultaneously

There is currently a 300-strong rescue team with more than 60 at the core site, as well as 32 loading machines and excavators from the armed traffic police detachment team. Large machinery is currently exploring along the five parallel channels.

Climbing experts take part in the rescue

Since the avalanche took place at an altitude of above 5,000 meters and it was so large, the Tibet alpine emergency rescue team took part in the rescue operation. Ngawang Norbu and Norbu Dradul are two experts who have reached the summit of Mount Qomolangma on numerous occasions and have a wealth of experience in high-altitude mountaineering and rescue. This morning they were on-site investigating with other experts.

Preliminary investigations show that warmer weather lead to the avalanche

According to the experts’ initial investigation, warmer weather caused the glacier to melt and crack, which then caused it to move leading to an avalanche. On-site investigations and evaluations by experts today reveal that it is possible that the top part of the avalanche may collapse again. In order to avoid more casualties, the rescue headquarters have transferred the families living in the summer pastures to safe areas. The rescue operation is still ongoing.