Two bodies recovered in Indian Himalayas as search continues for six trekkers

Indian rescue teams recovered two bodies from a trekking route in the Himalayan state of Uttarakhand, while six people remained missing amid heavy snowfall and difficult terrain, Anadolu Agency reported, citing local media on Wednesday.

The bodies of a man and a woman were found on Tuesday near Kedar Kharak, at an altitude of about 4,000 metres (13,123 feet), according to the “Hindustan Times”. Uttarkashi District Disaster Management Officer Shardul Gusain confirmed the recovery and said the identities of the deceased had not yet been established.

A joint team from the State Disaster Response Force and the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering located the bodies during a search along the Kedartal trekking route.

The operation was suspended at about 3 p.m. (0930 GMT) on Tuesday because of difficult conditions, and rescuers returned to their base camp.

The search was scheduled to resume on Wednesday, with additional personnel, supplies and life-support equipment being sent to the area. Authorities also prepared an alternative helipad near the site to support rescue efforts and the evacuation of the bodies to Harsil.

The group set out on Oct. 27 and was expected to return by Oct. 29, but failed to do so, prompting a search. Rescuers have faced heavy snowfall, poor visibility and challenging high-altitude terrain.

Authorities have not confirmed the fate of the six people still missing.