KATHMANDU, Aug 10: Nepal Mountaineering Association (NMA) has recovered the bodies of two climbers and brought them down to Pokhara. The bodies were found between the south of Mt Annapurna I and Mt Himchuli, at an altitude of 5,500 meters.
According to NMA, the bodies are believed to be that of Korean nationals who were killed while climbing in 2009.
“Going by their climbing gear, they look like Koreans,” said NMA President Santa Bir Lama.
Bodies of 9 climbers retrieved from Gurja
Preliminary investigations indicate that the ill-fated climbers were hit by avalanche while heading toward Himchuli . Their bodies became exposed and were noticed as ice in the vicinity has melted .
A group led by mountain guide Anup Gurung went to the mountain for a search operation after local sheep herders informed NMA that a dead body was seen lying there above the base camp some two weeks ago. During their operation, the search team noticed another dead body also.
Both the bodies have now been brought to Pokhara for autopsies. The bodies will be handed over to kin after their identities are confirmed through autopsy and DNA testing, said the mountaineering association.
With the snow melting away due to rising temperatures, the bodies of dead mountaineers are emerging at mountain sites.
Back in May, four bodies of dead climbers emerged from snow on Mt Everest .
Sherpas involved in the Everest clean-up campaign brought the bodies down to the base camp from where they were airlifted to Kathmandu for autopsy. As of now, their identities have not been disclosed.
