|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
A large group of Israeli trekkers trapped in a violent Himalayan snowstorm has been rescued from the remote village of Samdu, Nepal, according to reports from Hebrew media on Wednesday. The dramatic rescue unfolded as both the Nepali and Chinese sides of the Everest region were closed to tourists due to extreme weather conditions.
The stranded Israelis were airlifted from Samdu and relocated to the nearby lower-altitude village of Samagaun, the Walla news site confirmed. One trekker required emergency evacuation by helicopter to Lukla for urgent medical treatment after suffering complications from the harsh conditions.
Yair Liberman, one of the trekkers, described the chaotic situation to Kan public broadcaster. “At some point we realized we didn’t understand where the route was. There were about 150 travelers stuck in a line. There was panic, the storm was getting stronger, and people left their bags behind. It could have ended much worse,” he said.
Many of the travelers, some suffering from altitude sickness and exhaustion, are now awaiting full evacuation as forecasters predict no improvement in weather before Sunday.
Authorities in Nepal have responded to the severe snowstorm by suspending trekking on several popular routes, including the Annapurna, Manaslu, and Dhaulagiri regions — home to some of the world’s tallest peaks. The suspension follows heavy snowfall at higher altitudes and persistent rain in lower regions.
The rescue efforts have been complicated by dangerous conditions. A private helicopter attempting to reach stranded trekkers in Lobuche, near Everest Base Camp, crashed while trying to land on a snow-covered site.
According to Civil Aviation Authority spokesperson Gyanendra Bhul, the helicopter slipped on the snow and tipped onto its side. The pilot survived and was later rescued, but it remains unclear whether the trekkers the helicopter sought to reach have been found.
Meanwhile, the Nepal Army and police have been guiding hundreds of trekkers to safety across the Manang district since Tuesday. “Around 1,500 hikers, including 200 foreigners, their guides, and local porters, lost their way after deep snow buried the trails,” said army spokesperson Raja Ram Basnet.
The fierce weather, triggered by Cyclone Montha which struck India’s southeastern coast earlier this week, continues to lash the Himalayan region. Meteorologists warn of more heavy rain and snowfall through Friday, raising concerns for remaining trekkers and residents in high-altitude areas.
Authorities have urged travelers to suspend or postpone any mountain expeditions until the conditions stabilize, as rescue operations remain ongoing in some of the world’s most challenging terrain.