45 feared trapped in Afghanistan avalanche

KABUL, Afghanistan -- An avalanche struck two remote villages in the northeast yesterday and 45 people were feared trapped in the snow.

The avalanche hit the villages of Poshan and Ghadoor in Mondol district of Nuristan province, provincial spokesman Mohammad Zareen said.

Avalanches are common in the mountainous northern provinces. Extremely heavy snowfall this year has resulted in more avalanches than normal. At least 50 people died March 4 in an avalanche in Badakhshan province.

Zareen said nearby villagers were working to try to locate victims and survivors in Monday's avalanche. He said rescuers cannot access the villages from Nuristan, but would have to go through Kunar or Laghman provinces to get to the area. -- AP