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South Ossetia explains traffic suspension on trans-Caucasian route with avalanches

The trans-Caucasian route, which links South Ossetia and Russia, is closed for traffic due to the avalanche hazard

TSKHINVALI, December 6 (Itar-Tass) —— The trans-Caucasian route, which links South Ossetia and Russia, is closed for traffic due to the avalanche hazard, the South Ossetia Emergency Situations Ministry reported on Tuesday.

“North Ossetian services closed the road at 12:30 p.m. until further notice,” it said.

The South Ossetian State Security Committee confirmed the report. “We got in touch with North Ossetian border guards and they told us that the traffic on the trans-Caucasian route was suspended because of the avalanche hazard around the Nizhny Zaramag checkpoint. As soon as the hazard is eliminated and the road is cleaned of snow, the traffic will resume,” the Committee siad.

A source in the South Ossetian police told Itar-Tass earlier that the route was closed “because of the complicated political situation in the republic and possible provocations.”

Meanwhile, a source at the North Ossetian Emergency Situations Ministry told Itar-Tass the governmental commission for emergency situations had ordered to suspend the traffic because of blizzards and possible avalanches. There is no traffic both ways between Buron and the northern portal of the Roksky Tunnel, he said.