Nepal Avalanche: rescue teams hard at work

Oct 16, 2014 | International News, News

By Aabida Dhanji

A massive search and rescue operation in the mountains of Nepal has recovered more than 115 people.

Despite the continuing humanitarian effort in the world’s highest mountains, searchers found the bodies of at least 27 people, including four Canadians.

Keshav Pandy, rescue coordinator and Vice President of the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal, said the main affected regions are Manang, Annapurna, Manaslu and Mustang located in north central Nepal near China.

Loved ones all around the world are still searching for their friends, family members and spouses. An Ottawa woman, Virginia Schwartz posted a picture after the avalanche on Facebook to let her friends and family know that she was safe in Nepal.

After the avalanche a Facebook group was made by Mark Schwartz, Virginia Schwartz’s brother. The group is for people all around the world to post about their missing loved ones, hoping for some news on their whereabouts. The group is called “Annapurna Nepal Avalanche and Blizzard Info Share.” 

The search and rescue team is using helicopters, soldiers and police personnel to access different parts of the mountains, Pandy said.

“The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal website has updates and a list of names of who has been found so far,” he said.

The reason the search is difficult is because the trekkers were stuck after being covered by the snow overnight, Pandy said.

“We still have a lot of work to do, there are still people stuck in small villages, high camp or in lodges,” he said.

Pandy said, they will keep the search going until they have covered all the possible areas.