At least 10 people are feared dead in an avalanche that trapped 29 climbers on Draupadi Ka Danda-II in Uttarakhand today, according to the Indian Express. The Himalayan peak’s altitude varies depending on the source, but lies between 5,600m and 6,000m.
The mountaineers were all trainees at the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering. The group included 34 pupils and seven instructors. They were making their way down from the summit when the avalanche struck.
Other personnel from the Institute first ran to the rescue, and several other institutions quickly followed. India’s Defense Ministry deployed helicopters to help in the search. Thanks to the quick response, eight people were rescued. However, searchers also spotted 10 bodies and recovered half of them, The Hindu reported. Details remain sketchy.
Draupadi Ka Danda I and II are two twin peaks of the Gangotri range, in the Garhwal Himalaya.
At least two international expeditions are currently in Gangotri: a Polish expedition including Adam Bielecki and another with brothers Alexander and Thomas Huber.
