A major avalanche occurred on 6 February 2002 in the area of the Salang Tunnel, the world's highest road tunnel, which trapped at some forty vehicles and about 100 people in and around the tunnel. Although technically outside of the International Security Assistance Force's area of operation, ISAF and the Afghan Interim Authority agreed that personnel from the Force should help in the humanitarian rescue efforts, along with Afghan and United Nations agencies and US military personnel. Several nationalities of ISAF personnel, including UK, French and Swedish troops took part in the rescue effort.

Fuel, food and blankets were flown by helicopter to each end of the tunnel, and a road convoy, including ISAF medical personnel and ambulances from the UK's 16 Close Support Regiment, helped transfer casualties to a medical centre run by the HALO de-mining organisation. At least 57 people are reported to have been rescued alive.

British troops help Afghans unload emergency aid supplies from the rear of a Chinook helicopter (High resolution version)	The Chinook landed right by the northern entrance to the Salang Tunnel (High resolution version)	ISAF soldiers with an Afghan, sheltering from the cold in one of blankets rushed to the area of the avalanche (High resolution version)
More aid is unloaded from the Chinook, including jerry-cans of fuel, food and blankets (High resolution version)	(High resolution version)	Aid is piled nearby as the helicopter on another supply run (High resolution version)

The Ministry of Defence is not responsible for the content or availability of external websites.