A tourist was crushed by a huge block of ice while exploring a glacier cave.
The victim was inside the cave’s shimmering crystalline structure when a substantial portion of the overhead ice suddenly detached and plummeted, striking him before he could escape.
Footage showed colleagues immediately evacuating the cave before one of them goes back to check on the victim.
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The accident took place at Zepu Glacier in Tibet, China.
Rescue efforts were hampered by the glacier’s unstable terrain and the precarious nature of the remaining ice formations.
The local authorities confirmed that they are aware of the incident, but have yet to release the victim’s name and background.
The Zepu Glacier is a maritime glacier on the south-eastern Tibetan Plateau, known for its rapid movement and susceptibility to temperature shifts.
Experts previously noted that while these glaciers are a major draw for the region’s burgeoning tourism industry, they are increasingly unpredictable.
Recent unseasonably warm weather in the Nyingchi region is suspected to have weakened the cave’s internal structure, as reported by Need To Know.
Geologists warn that ice caves are most dangerous during the spring and summer months when internal meltwater can cause ‘calving’ or structural failure from within.
The local authorities have closed access to the Zepu Glacier indefinitely while a full safety assessment is conducted.
A spokesperson for the local tourism bureau stated that an investigation is underway to determine if the incident was caused by natural seasonal melting or if safety protocols were breached.
Travellers have been urged to avoid undeveloped glacial sites and to only visit areas with certified guides and monitored safety zones.
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