Specialist sergeant Mehmet Özbent was killed in the avalanche which occurred on Saturday, Turkish Defense Ministry said.

In February 2020, two avalanches occurred near Bahçesaray in Turkey's eastern Van Province.

The first, on 4 February, buried two vehicles, leading to a rescue operation involving around 350 people.

The second, on 5 February, occurred while this operation was ongoing.

 At least 41 people were killed in the two avalanches, with 84 others being injured, six seriously. (ILKHA)