An avalanche in the border areas of Mirawa near Sardasht has killed two Kurdish kolbers—cross-border porters—and injured two others, local sources reported, underscoring the ongoing dangers faced by border laborers during the winter months.

The incident occurred late Friday as a group of porters were crossing the mountainous Mirawa region in West Azerbaijan province. They were caught in a sudden avalanche amid harsh weather and heavy snowfall, which severely hampered rescue operations. Four men were trapped beneath the snow overnight.

By Saturday, rescue teams recovered the bodies of two porters. The victims were identified as Khosraw Hamzapur, from the village of Dola Garmi in Sardasht, and Kamal Khazri, from Piranshahr, a father of three. Two other porters were rescued alive and transferred to medical facilities. According to sources, their condition is stable, though their identities have not yet been officially disclosed.

Avalanches and other natural hazards pose a persistent threat to kolbers, who routinely navigate remote and treacherous mountain routes along the Iran–Iraq border to earn a living. The risks intensify during winter, when severe weather conditions sharply deteriorate.

Statistics from the first six months of this year highlight the scale of the danger. Across border regions in West Azerbaijan, Kurdistan (Sanandaj), and Kermanshah provinces, 37 porters were affected by violence and natural incidents, resulting in 17 deaths and 20 injuries, raising continued concerns over safety and protection for cross-border laborers in western Iran.