Death toll rises to 6 in Uttarkashi avalanche, two more trekkers' bodies recovered

The death toll from a massive avalanche that struck the Kedartal trek route in Uttarkashi district on October 29 has risen to 6. On Thursday, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and mountaineering teams recovered the bodies of two more trekkers from different locations. Two people remain missing, and the search for them will resume on Friday.

Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya told ANI that a joint team of the State Disaster Response Force and the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering reported via satellite phone around 9 am on Thursday that they had found the bodies of two men. Arya added that the bodies will be brought to the Matli helipad near Uttarkashi on Friday for further proceedings.

Orders for a magisterial inquiry have been issued to investigate the incident. Bhatwari Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) Shalini Negi has been appointed as the inquiry officer, who is required to submit a comprehensive report on the matter within one week.

According to a Hindustan Times report, the avalanche occurred near Kedar Khark on October 29 while the expedition was descending from Kedartal. Kedartal is a glacial lake situated at an altitude of 15,485 feet (4,720 metres), fed by the melting snow of Mount Thalai Sagar, Mount Bhrigupant, and Jogin peaks. The lake is a popular destination for high-altitude trekkers.

The 12-member expedition included seven trekkers and five support staff. They had departed from Gangotri on October 27 and planned to complete the circuit by October 29. On October 30, four support staff reached Gangotri and informed the authorities after losing contact with the other members.

The missing group included five male trekkers from West Bengal, two female trekkers from Uttar Pradesh, and one local guide from Uttarkashi. Rescue teams recovered two bodies on Tuesday and two more on Wednesday. District Magistrate Arya stated that the search for the remaining two missing persons will resume on Friday.