More than 300 tourists stranded at Nathu La Pass in Sikkim in northern India following an avalanche were rescued by Indian army's Dogra regiment Monday, Indo-Asian News Service reported.

Indian defense officials said in Kolkata that the tourists were trapped in deep snow on their way to Sherathang from Nathu La. They were traveling in 33 vehicles.

Nathu La Pass is along the border between India and China.

A team of Indian army located at Thegu, about seven km away, moved in within an hour with bulldozers and cleared the ice after a marathon struggle for seven hours, officials said.

One vehicle was found completely buried in snow with seven adults and two children.

The rescue operation was performed in freezing temperatures in about 14 feet of snow.

The tourists were administered first aid and oxygen and offered tea and food. They left for Gangtok, capital of Sikkim, soon afterwards. 

(Xinhua News Agency May 17, 2005)