5 missing in avalanche in India

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KAFNU, India, Feb. 6 (UPI) -- Five people were killed and three others missing in an avalanche that buried parts of an Indian village in 4 feet of snow Wednesday, officials said.

The avalanche covered eight houses houses in Kafnu in Himachal Pradesh's tribal Kinnaur village, Deputy Commissioner J.M. Pathania told Indo-Asian News Service.

Rescuers found three people trapped and injured in a collapsed house, Press Trust of India reported. Six families had evacuated their houses out of fear of a possible avalanche, but at least three families remained.

The area has been experiencing heavy snowfalls and frigid temperatures for three days, the Press Trust of India said. Some areas have seen nearly a foot of snow, which has caused the closure of schools for three days.

Officials warned there is still a threat of avalanches in the high-altitude tribal areas and recommended people stay indoors until hostile weather conditions subside.