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Rescuers recovered another body Friday from the site of an avalanche in India’s northern state of Uttarakhand, raising the death toll to seven, while one person remains missing, local media reported.
A joint team from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering found the body near Kedarkhadak in Uttarkashi district, according to the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency, as cited by Hindustan Times.
Uttarakhand lies in the Himalayas along India’s borders with Nepal and China. The trek begins at Gangotri, a pilgrimage town in Uttarkashi district, and leads to Kedartal, a glacial lake at 4,720 meters (15,485 feet).
The expedition departed Gangotri on Oct. 27 and was due back Oct. 29, but heavy snowfall and avalanches blocked the route. Four members were rescued earlier, while eight others had been reported stranded.
The two victims recovered Thursday were identified as Rintu Mandal, 40, and Uday Ghosh, 30, both from Bankura district in West Bengal state, in eastern India.
Rescuers have struggled through 3 to 3.7 meters of accumulated snow, unstable terrain and adverse weather. The recovered bodies were taken to a base camp before being airlifted to Uttarkashi.
Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya ordered a magisterial inquiry into the incident, with a report expected within a week, the Hindustan Times reported. Rescue operations continue to locate the missing person.
Heavy snowfall in late September also left trekkers stranded across Uttarkashi district, the Free Press Journal reported.
The September snowfall sentence now sits under the rescue subhead. I can move it up under the expedition subhead if you prefer.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
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