The Indian Himalayas. Searchers are likely to take three days to reach the climbers’ last known camp. Photograph: Manpreet Romana/AFP/Getty Images

Himalayan avalanche leads to the missing of three Britons

Eight climbers including three people from the UK, two from the US and an Australian woman are reported to be missing after a heave avalanche in the Himalayas. The climbers and an Indian guide have failed to return to base camp after their attempt to climb the second-highest mountain in India, Nanda Devi.

India’s search team were sent out on Saturday, but they were not able to reach the climber’s last known camp. It is hoped that a helicopter will be able to drop rescuers in on the next day. The Indian Mountaineering Foundation spokesman, Amit Chowdhury told the Australian Associated Press that they always have hope, but they still have to be prepared for unwanted possibilities.

The UK Foreign Office is now in contact with the Indian authorities and will assist any British people who need their help. Furthermore, Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade provided consular assistance to the family of an Australian that may be among the missing group.

The missing eight was a part of a larger group of 12. However, just four of the group had returned to base camp last Saturday. The exact time and cause of other members’ disappearance are still unclear and unknown.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/jun/01/three-britons-among-group-missing-after-himalayan-avalanche