MYAGDI, April 12: Rescuers have halted the search for two support staff who went missing five days ago in an avalanche on Annapurna Mountain in Myagdi.
An avalanche struck between Camp 2 and Camp 3 of Annapurna I (8,091 meters) in Narchyang, Annapurna Rural Municipality-4, on the morning of April 7, cutting off contact with Rima Sherpa and Nima Tashi Sherpa from Solukhumbu. According to Seven Summit Treks, they called off the search operation after failing to make any progress.
"With deep sorrow and through this heartbreaking news, we hereby inform you that despite our relentless efforts, we could not find them. After this long, surviving beneath the snow and ice is no longer possible," stated Seven Summit Treks.
32 climbers summit Annapurna in one day as spring ascent begins
After the avalanche, the company deployed two search helicopters and a team of five Sherpas. But with no progress and increasing risks due to adverse weather conditions, the company chose not to continue the operation and gave Rima and Nima a heartfelt farewell.
Relentless bad weather and continuous avalanches severely hampered the rescue mission. Even after using helicopters, drone cameras, and other equipment, the team failed to locate them.
The helicopter evacuated four climbers from Camp 3 who had accompanied Rima and Nima, bringing them back to the base camp. The avalanche destroyed the route to the summit-damaging ropes, ladders, and other structures-forcing the team to make fresh preparations. Earlier this week on Monday, 32 climbers successfully summited Annapurna. Sherpas at the base camp and a rescue team from Kathmandu led the search operation.
The Department of Tourism reported that four groups, comprising 30 men and 12 women, have obtained permits to climb Annapurna this spring season. Climbers frequently face avalanches on this risky mountain. Maurice Herzog, a French climber, was the first to summit Annapurna in 1950. Ranked tenth among the world's fourteen peaks over 8,000 meters, Annapurna I is emerging as a major destination in Myagdi.