Pakistan avalanches kill dozens

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Avalanches in north-western Pakistan over the weekend are feared to have killed dozens of people as the search continues for survivors.

Several homes in the village of Wasij, in Chitral district, were destroyed on Saturday and some 24 bodies recovered.

Eleven more people are missing after an avalanche in another village on Sunday.

More than 50 people have died in a series of avalanches in the mountainous region in recent weeks, the Associated Press says, after heavy rain and snow.

Eighteen homes were buried in Wasij, AP reported, with 14 people reported missing and just six pulled alive from the snow.

Up to 11 people were reported missing after another avalanche late on Sunday, a senior police officer said.

Avalanches are common in Chitral at this time of year, with regular heavy snowfalls and roads often closed.

Rescue efforts have been hampered by the poor weather, officials said.

Helicopters have been deployed to send doctors and relief supplies to affected villages, a local mayor told the AFP news agency.