Manali, Nov 20 (IANS) At least eight people were killed Friday as high velocity icy winds lashed Himachal Pradesh's Kullu district, an official said.

Over 75 people were caught in strong icy winds at around 1.30 p.m. after crossing the Rohtang Pass (13,050 feet) on foot, Deputy Commissioner (Kullu) B.M. Nanta told IANS.

'Eight people died on the spot and others managed to escape. They were coming from the Lahaul valley (in Lahaul and Spiti district),' he said.

Most of the victims were migratory labourers from Bihar and Jharkhand.

'They were advised against crossing the Rohtang Pass, but they went against the warning,' the official said.

A total of 67 labourers have been now taken to Marhi, some 35 km from Manali, and the administration is providing them treatment and warm clothes, officials said.

The Rohtang Pass has been closed to traffic since Nov 9 due to heavy snowfall.