SRINAGAR: A 48-year-old labourer working at an under-construction power project died while his co-worker was injured after they were buried alive in an avalanche that struck central Kashmir ’s Ganderbal district late Friday afternoon. Both were natives of Punjab ’s Pathankot district .

The avalanche hit Rayil village in Ganderbal’s Kangan tehsil around 4.25pm, sweeping away many working at the power project, said sources. A rescue operation was launched immediately and the two labourers buried alive were rescued in a critical condition. They were rushed to a hospital, where one of them, Surinder Singh , was declared dead. His colleague, Bobby Singh (45), was referred to a Srinagar hospital for specialized treatment, said a police officer.

The snow slide caused minor damage to the power project as well.

