The death toll in the Kedartal trekking tragedy in Uttarakhand’s Uttarkashi district has risen to four after rescue teams recovered two more bodies on Wednesday. The latest recovery follows the discovery of two bodies, one man and one woman, on Tuesday. Officials have not publicly confirmed the identities of the two people recovered on Wednesday.
The search operation is continuing for the remaining members of an eight-person group that went missing after an avalanche and heavy snowfall blocked the Kedartal route. Five of the missing trekkers are from West Bengal, including five young men from Bankura whose families are waiting anxiously for updates. Two others are from Uttar Pradesh, while the eighth person is a local guide from Uttarkashi.
Rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) are conducting the operation in difficult conditions. Around 10 to 12 feet of snow has accumulated in the affected area, making it difficult to use snow-removal machines. Teams are therefore digging through the snow by hand.
The bodies recovered from the high-altitude area were flown by helicopter to Matli and then taken towards the district hospital in Uttarkashi. An additional SDRF team has also been sent to support the operation.
The West Bengal government is coordinating with Uttarakhand authorities. State officials, including the ADG (Law and Order) and Bankura’s Superintendent of Police, have been assigned to liaise with the local administration and support the families.
The rescue operation remains underway. Authorities are expected to provide further updates on the missing trekkers and the identification of the recovered bodies.
