Seventeen trekkers killed in the Himalayan Mountains after they got trapped in heavy snowfall on Tuesday. Thousands of people come to Nepal every year to trek the mountains, at the same time providing poor Nepalese communities with millions of dollars that they so desperately need.
A dozen of the deaths occurred in the Annapurna region, according to the statement made by Nepal Army spokesperson, Niranjan Shrestha. The other five happened in the neighboring Manang district. Although officials have confirmed that 17 trekkers killed, many are still missing and it is feared that the death toll could rise.
The deaths were believed to have been caused by unusually heavy snow that was brought by the cyclone Hud-Hud in eastern India. Moreover, this tragedy is only six months after the last one that occurred on the slopes of Mount Everest.
Before May this year, a massive avalanche swept off 16 Sherpas to their deaths. After this tragedy, many of the Sherpas refused to climb the mountains and at least six companies that lead expeditions up the Everest have decided to call off their 2014 climbs.
The weather conditions in the Himalayas can be cruel, but 17 trekkers killed in one event is almost unheard of. The recent deaths on the mountains will be affecting various nations, and will likely dent confidence in an industry that is vital to the economic well-being of Nepal.
Twelve of the 17 trekkers killed died in the Annapurna region, but only four of the bodies have been recovered so far. The other eight are still buried under thick layers of snow. They died quite near the iconic Thorung La Pass in the Mustang district, which is 17,770 feet high.
Shrestha said that this area is actually the highest point of the 21-day trek of the Annapurna Circuit.
The nationalities of the 17 trekkers killed have not yet been confirmed. Also, regarding the survivors, Shrestha said, "Those who stayed back in lodges because of poor weather survived."
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
