Nepal: Eight South Korean Climbers Die in Snowstorm at Mount Gurja

Eight climbers have died on Nepal’s Mount Gurja after their camp was devastated by a violent snowstorm.

At least eight climbers from a South Korean expedition have died on Nepal’s Mount Gurja due to a violent snowstorm. Image used for representation.

(Photo: IANS)

At least eight climbers from a South Korean expedition have died on Nepal's Mount Gurja after their camp was devastated by a violent snowstorm, officials said Saturday.

The bodies of eight climbers, including their Nepali guides, were spotted among the wreckage of their camp by a rescue team early Saturday morning, but unstable and icy conditions were hampering the search effort.

“We assume the incident happened because of a snowstorm because trees are broken and the tents are wrecked. Even the dead bodies are scattered.”

Sailesh Thapa, Police spokesperson

Thapa said a ninth climber may also be missing.

A helicopter reached the site and managed to land just above the expedition team's camp, but were unable to retrieve any of the bodies.

A storm Friday night destroyed their camp and rescue helicopter sent early Saturday were unable to land because of bad weather conditions on the mountain, police official Bir Bahadur Budamagar said.

(With inputs from PTI and AP)