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 search for four other missing people is continuing in the snow-covered mountain region.
The two bodies recovered on Tuesday have been identified as sisters Vartika Verma, 28, and Deepika Verma, 29, from Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Their family members identified them at Uttarkashi District Hospital. The two bodies recovered on Wednesday are those of men, but their identities have not yet been confirmed by the administration.
The eight people went missing after heavy snowfall and an avalanche affected the Kedartal trekking route. Five people from West Bengal, including a group of young men from Bankura, were among the eight missing trekkers. However, officials have not confirmed whether any of the four recovered bodies belong to the missing trekkers from Bankura. Their identities should not be assumed.
Rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) are continuing the search in difficult conditions. Around 10 to 12 feet of snow has accumulated in the affected area, making it difficult to use snow-clearing machines. Rescuers are digging through the snow by hand.
The Uttarkashi district administration is coordinating the operation and providing supplies to the teams. An additional SDRF team has also been sent to assist the search.
The administration is yet to identify the two men whose bodies were recovered on Wednesday. The search for the remaining four missing people is underway.
