A second avalanche swept over rescue teams in Van province on 5 February 2020, turning an emergency operation into one of Turkey’s deadliest winter disasters.

Rescuers caught by a second slide

The first avalanche had struck a minibus and snow-clearing vehicle near Bahçesaray. Hundreds of emergency workers and local volunteers went to the mountain road to search for people still missing. The following day, another mass of snow descended onto the same area, burying many of those taking part in the operation.

Officials reported a combined death toll of at least 38 on the day, with dozens more injured; later assessments increased the number. The disaster prompted scrutiny of weather assessment, access control and responder safety in avalanche zones.

Why it mattered

This event formed part of Turkey’s political, security, economic or social record in 2020 and continued to shape public debate beyond the immediate news cycle.

Sources

• Reuters
• The Guardian

Featured image is illustrative and credited in the media attachment; it is not presented as an image of the event.