After the combined efforts of locals and police personnel to find missing tourists since the past six days bore no fruit, authorities in Kaski have finally deployed Nepal Army for the search operation.
Three Nepali porters and tour guides assisting four Korean peoples have been missing in an avalanche that occurred in Hinku region between Deurali and Dobhan on the trekking route that leads to the Annapurna Base Camp on January 17.
Though search for the missing trekkers had started on Friday itself, their location and condition are still unknown.
“As the weather has cleared, Nepal Army personnel have started their search operation. However, they have been able to find any of the missing trekkers as of yet,” said ACAP Chhomrong Chief Netra Sharma.
“Scouring the thick layer of snow to search for the missing trekkers is extremely exhausting whereas difficult topography and small snowslips happening every now and then have added to the difficulty,” added Sharma.
A Nepal Army team led by Colonel Anit Gurung has been commissioned for the search operation in the avalanche site. The team is being supported by the locals and Nepal Police personnel.
Trekking on the circuit beyond Chhomarong has been prohibited for the time being in view of the incident.
