KATHMANDU, Jan 17: A heart-pounding rescue unfolded in Solukhumbu on Thursday when Michael Heinrich, a 41-year-old German national, found himself in a precarious situation after slipping off a remote cliff.
Heinrich was trekking back to Lukla after visiting the Sagarmatha Base Camp when he strayed from the main trail, inadvertently taking an old mule path. Around 11:30 AM, while navigating the frail gravel road between Toktok and Banker in Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality-03, he lost his footing and slid several meters down, becoming trapped in a crevasse midway down the cliff.
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Locals quickly informed the police station in Napichang about the stranded trekker at around 12:30 PM. Responding promptly, a rescue team led by Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Shri Bahadur Khadka sprang into action. With the help of locals, the team devised a rope maneuver to lower a police officer to Heinrich's position.
“We carefully roped a team member down to reach the German national and guided him to safety,” ASI Khadka shared with Republica. By 1:30 PM, Heinrich was successfully pulled out of the crevasse.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Dwarika Prasad Ghimire, Chief of the District Police Office, Solukhumbu, confirmed that Heinrich is now out of danger.
This rescue highlights the incredible teamwork of local authorities and residents in ensuring the safety of trekkers in the challenging terrain of the Himalayas. Below are photos capturing the exemplary rescue effort.
