Collapse near the summit of a seven-thousander - two climbers searched for in the Nepalese Himalayas
The bodies of two Japanese climbers, Hidesuke Taneishi and Tetsu Hashimoto, were found at an altitude of 6,210 meters on the southern slope of Mount Gangapurna after more than a week of searching. The men set out on the climb on October 10, but were reported missing on October 15.
To survey the inaccessible slopes, rescuers used a drone, lifting it from a mark of more than 5000 meters after a helicopter landing. First, the team managed to come across the last camp of the climbers at an altitude of 7000 meters, where their tent with equipment, rope and snow shovel remained. According to the rescue team member Pasang Rinzi Sherpa, the two climbed almost to the very top of the western peak when a sheet avalanche swept them down the steep southern slope.
Both victims suffered serious injuries from the prolonged fall. Their bodies were airlifted to a hospital in Kathmandu for forensic examination before being handed over to their families.
Context
This fall, Manang district has already seen devastating avalanches due to heavy snowfall and unusual cyclones from the Bay of Bengal. In September, a massive snow layer more than four meters thick covered the base camp of Himlung Himal, claiming the lives of at least four expedition members and local staff.