Search operations in the high-altitude terrain of Uttarakhand reached a somber milestone on Thursday as teams recovered two additional bodies following the massive avalanche that struck the Kedartal trek route on October 29. The discovery brings the confirmed death toll from the incident to six, according to local administration officials overseeing the mission.
The recovery was confirmed by Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya, who stated that a joint operation involving the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) located the victims in separate areas along the trek. The rescue teams utilized satellite communication to relay the update to district authorities at approximately 9 am on Thursday.
The avalanche occurred near Kedar Kharak while the expedition was in the process of descending from Kedartal, a glacial lake positioned at an elevation of 15,485 feet. The area, fed by the glacial melt of the Thalay Sagar, Bhrigupanth, and Jogin peaks, is a high-altitude destination frequented by experienced hikers. The 12-member group had commenced their journey from Gangotri on October 27 and was expected to complete their circuit by the day the tragedy occurred.
The alarm was raised when four support staff members, who had managed to navigate back to Gangotri on October 30, reported the incident to the authorities after losing contact with the rest of the expedition. The group consisted of seven trekkers—five from West Bengal and two from Uttar Pradesh—along with five support personnel, including a local guide from Uttarkashi. Previous recovery efforts earlier in the week had accounted for four other casualties, with two bodies retrieved on Tuesday and another two on Wednesday.
In response to the incident, the district administration has initiated a formal investigation. District Magistrate Arya confirmed that a magisterial probe has been ordered to examine the circumstances surrounding the expedition and the subsequent disaster. The Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM) of Bhatwari, Shalini Negi, has been appointed as the inquiry officer and is tasked with submitting a comprehensive report on the findings within a week.
Regarding the logistical challenges of the operation, officials indicated that the recovered bodies are being transported to the Matli helipad near Uttarkashi. This transfer is scheduled for Friday, at which point the necessary legal and medical formalities will be conducted to identify the victims and return them to their families.
While progress has been made in locating the deceased, the search for the two remaining individuals who are still missing continues. District Magistrate Arya noted that the rescue personnel are expected to resume their efforts on Friday morning, provided weather and terrain conditions allow for continued activity in the high-altitude zone. The local administration maintains that the mission remains a priority, and specialized mountaineering teams are coordinating closely to ensure the thorough coverage of the site where the avalanche occurred.
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