IAF, NDRF rescues 2 from 17 trekkers missing at Lamkhaga Pass, five found dead

Dehradun, October 23: Lost their way due to heavy snowfall and stormy weather at Lamkhaga Pass, five trekkers were found dead on Friday. These were a total of 17 trekkers including tourists, porters who had lost their way on October 18. The Indian Air Force had responded to the SOS call and started their rescue operations immediately. The Lamkhaga Pass is considered to be one of the toughest passes connecting the Kinnaur district with Harshil in Uttrakhand.

 

Three NDRF personnel onboard had started a search while operating at the maximum permissible altitude of ALH aircraft at an altitude of 19500 ft in the afternoon hours. On October 21, an ALH was airborne once again with SDRF personnel and was able to locate two rescue sites. It inducted the rescue team at an altitude of 15,700 ft where mortal remains of four were found. The helicopter thereafter moved to another location and rescued a survivor from around 16800 ft who was unable to move.

 

On Friday, ALH recovered another survivor from around 16500 ft, in four shuttles, at an altitude of 16500 ft, despite unfavorable terrain and strong wind conditions. The mortal found remains were handed over to local police.

 

The trekkers had left Harshil in adjoining Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi for Chitkul in HP's Kinnaur on October 14, but they reportedly went missing during inclement weather from October 17 to 19 in Lamkhaga pass, a senior official informed. The porters lost their way while returning from the patrol and got separated from the ITBP team, said District Disaster Management Officer Devendra Patwal.

 

The deputy commissioner said that the bodies of five trekkers were found buried in snow in different places by the rescue team. The bodies were gathered at one place and would be sent to Uttarkashi via helicopter on Friday, he added.