At least nine Indian trekkers died in the Himalayas after getting trapped during a blizzard, authorities said on Thursday, as rescue teams airlifted their bodies and five survivors to safety.
Rescue Teams Work in Harsh Conditions
Kabul 24: The Indian Air Force shared footage on Thursday that showed rescue teams working near a helicopter in the snow-covered mountains, Reuters reported. The footage highlighted the challenging conditions faced by the rescue teams as they worked to reach the stranded trekkers.
Group of Climbers from Karnataka State Affected
The group of climbers from the southern state of Karnataka were hit by heavy snowfall in the remote mountains of Uttarakhand state in north India, said Krishna Byre Gowda, a top Karnataka minister. The group was trekking in the Himalayas when the weather suddenly turned severe, making it difficult for them to continue their journey.
Snow Intensifies into Blizzard, Visibility Drops to Nil
“Snow intensified into blizzard. By 6 PM, 2 trekkers succumbed to bad weather. Snow and wind made movement impossible. Visibility dropped to nil. They huddled together for the night on the route. Some more succumbed in the night,” Gowda wrote in a social media post on Wednesday.
Guide Alerts Rescuers, Teams Reach Spot Early on Wednesday
A guide with the group alerted rescuers about the situation on Tuesday evening after trekking for a while to find mobile network connectivity, and teams reached the spot early on Wednesday, the minister added. The rescue efforts were carried out in challenging conditions, with the rescue teams having to navigate through heavy snow and strong winds to reach the stranded trekkers.
