Avalanches in northeastern Afghanistan kill at least 100 people, an official says; the toll is likely to rise

Relatives walk down from the site of an avalanche after searching for victims in the Bazarak district of Afghanistan’s province of Panjshir, north of Kabul. (Shah Marai / AFP/Getty Images)

Feb. 25, 2015 3:26 PM PT

Severe weather, particularly in rugged, remote northern Afghanistan, has periodically caused mass deaths. Last May, mudslides after heavy rainfall in northeastern Badakhshan province buried hundreds of residents in their homes.

An avalanche survivor recovers in a hospital in Panjshir province north of Kabul, Afghanistan. (Massoud Hossaini / Associated Press)

Afghan men push a vehicle that got stuck near the site of an avalanche in Panjshir province. (Massoud Hossaini / Associated Press)

Afghan men walk in a village close to the site of an avalanche in Panjshir province. (Massoud Hossaini / Associated Press)

Afghan children play not far from the site of an avalanche in Panjshir province. (Massoud Hossaini / Associated Press)

Afghan villagers look on in a village close to the avalanche site in Panjshir province. (Massoud Hossaini / Associated Press)