New Delhi, Apr 4 (PTI) Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Tuesday said he was deeply distressed by the news of an avalanche in Sikkim and expressed his grief over the loss of lives.

"Deeply distressed by the news of the massive avalanche in Sikkim's Nathu La that has trapped several tourists.

Also Read | Argentina: Naked Model Falls to Death Six Floors From Businessman's Luxury Flat in Buenos Aires, Probe Lunched.

"My thoughts are with the victims of this terrible tragedy, and their families. Wishing all the best to the teams involved in the rescue mission," Gandhi said in a Facebook post.

Seven tourists were killed as a massive avalanche hit Sikkim's Nathu La area on Tuesday morning, burying several vehicles under the snow, officials said.

Also Read | 7th Pay Commission To Be Replaced by 8th Pay Commission? Employees’ Union To Submit Memorandum for 8th CPC to Government Soon, ‘Automatic Pay Revision System’ May Be Introduced.

The avalanche hit the arterial Jawaharlal Nehru Marg, which connects Gangtok to Nathu La at the China border, around 11.30 am, trapping five-six vehicles and around 30 people under the snow, the Army said in a statement.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)