The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Afghanistan

At least 27 people have been killed and hundreds more are stranded or missing after heavy snowfalls hit Afghanistan, an official told AFP. In the worst incident eight members of one family died when their mudbrick house collapsed under the weight of snow in western Herat province overnight, Nooruddin Ahmadi, head of the Afghan Red Crescent in Herat, said Tuesday. Among others killed were six shepherds from a mountainous region in the province and two people in an avalanche nearby, he added. Five perished in another avalanche in neighbouring Farah province. More than 250 policemen have been left stranded by the poor weather and at least 16 civilians are missing. In nearby Ghor province, another rugged and mountainous region, three people were killed when an avalanche smothered their home, Ikramuddin Rezazada, deputy governor of Ghor said.