At least 12 people were confirmed dead after avalanches struck Tehran, Iran, on Friday, December 25, 2020, following heavy snowfall and strong winds.
Avalanches struck four various areas north of the capital Tehran on Friday following heavy snow and strong winds a day earlier.
On Saturday, December 26, state media aired footage showing emergency crews using a helicopter to retrieve other missing climbers. Reports confirmed at least 11 fatalities, while one climber died on the way to a hospital.
Iranian rescue crews ended the search operations on Sunday, December 27, after finding a total of 14 climbers.
Heavy snowfall also closed 50 villages in Khorasan Razavi due to slippery roads, blizzards, and blocked roads. Dargaz governor said rescue forces have deployed eight vehicles to provide assistance to those trapped.
#Red_Crescent teams have saved 14 #climbers in #Tehran heights after a number of climbers got stuck in snow and blizzard. pic.twitter.com/ljCzIev26F
— هلال احمر ایران (@Iranian_RCS) December 27, 2020
Relief teams of @Iranian_RCS saved 14 climbers after they got stuck in a #snowstorm and #avalanche in the mountains north of Teheran during the weekend. Teams have also supported recovering the bodies of climbers who lost their lives in the incident.
— IFRC Middle East and North Africa (@IFRC_MENA) December 28, 2020
Photos: @MizanNewsAgency pic.twitter.com/RnNFDnJ2CV
#یاریگرشماییم
— هلال احمر ایران (@Iranian_RCS) December 29, 2020
طی ۵ روز گذشته و در ۱۷ استان متاثر از حوادث جوی، ۲۱۹ نیروی عملیاتی #هلال_احمر در قالب ۵۴ گروه تخصصی #جستوجو و #نجات توانستند ۷۰ نفر از #کوهنوردان را نجات دهند. pic.twitter.com/Js6T8o7aPC
پایان عملیات در ارتفاعات شمال #تهران؛ پیکر ۲ گمشده دارآباد پیدا شد
— هلال احمر ایران (@Iranian_RCS) December 27, 2020
پس از ۳ روز عملیات جستوجو و نجات، پیکر ۸ #کوهنورد در کلکچال، ۲ نفر در دارآباد و یک نفر در آهار پیدا شد که در مجموع با کشف اجساد ۱۱ نفر از کوهنوردان در ارتفاعات شمال تهران؛ یکشنبه بعدازظهر پایان عملیات اعلام شد. pic.twitter.com/dD5aC71QRd
Featured image credit: Iranian Red Crescent Society
Yakutia sees longest cold spell in 14 years as Siberia quivers through abnormally harsh temperatures
January 19, 2021
The Siberian region of Yakutia has shivered through its longest cold spell in 14 years, with temperatures plunging below -40 °C (-40 °F) during the middle of December 2020. The area is currently in the grip of an abnormally long period of harsh cold that is...
Heavy snowfall causes massive pileup of 130 vehicles in northeastern Japan
January 19, 2021
At least one person died while 10 others sustained injuries as heavy snowfall blanketed wide areas of northeastern Japan, resulting in a multiple-vehicular accident on Tuesday, January 19, 2021. More than 130 vehicles and some 200 people were involved in the pileup...
Heavy snow leaves 7 000 households without power across Sweden and Finland
January 15, 2021
Around 4 000 households were left without electricity supply in Finland and another 3 000 in Sweden on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, after heavy snowfall struck the region. In Sweden, about 3 000 homes were affected by power outages, according to Eon, noting that...
M6.1 earthquake hits off the coast of Isangel, Vanuatu
January 08, 2021
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.1 hit off the coast of Isangel, Vanuatu at 05:01 UTC on January 8, 2021. The agency is reporting a depth of 117 km (72 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.1 at a depth of 120 km (75 miles). The epicenter was located 147 km...
M6.3 earthquake hits Kermadec Islands, New Zealand
January 08, 2021
A strong earthquake registered by the USGS as M6.3 hit the Kermadec Islands, New Zealand at 00:28 UTC on January 8, 2021. The agency is reporting a depth of 224 km (139 miles). EMSC is reporting M6.3 at a depth of 182 km (113 miles). This is the second M6+...