Afghan official: At least 35 die in avalanche

KABUL, Afhganistan Police chief Aja Noor Kemtuz in Badakhshan province says the avalanche occurred two weeks ago. He says Afghan police and rescue workers arrived at the site Tuesday and recovered 30 bodies from the snow. Five others are still missing.

He says five houses also were destroyed by the avalanche, which occurred north of Faizabad -- about 50 kilometers (31 miles) south of the Tajikistan border. An estimated 500 cattle and other animals also were killed.