One Presumed Avalanche Victim's Body Found in Nepal's Annapurna (Comprehensive)

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Min-young] An additional body presumed to be a victim missing in an avalanche in Annapurna, Nepal, has been found.

According to diplomatic authorities on the 27th, residents and the Nepalese army searching the accident site in the afternoon found part of a body exposed outside the snow.

The search team confirmed the presence of one body after digging around and is attempting to recover it. The work is reported to be difficult due to the body being buried in ice and snow, as well as heavy rain in the area.

The search team believes this body is likely one of those missing since the avalanche in January and plans to identify the victim as soon as the body is recovered.

Earlier, on January 17, four teachers from the Chungnam Office of Education went missing after being swept away by an avalanche while descending from the Annapurna Deurali Lodge (altitude 3,230m) in the Himalayas, along with three Nepalese guides (including one from another group).

The body of the Nepalese guide from the other group was found at the end of February, and the body of the Nepalese guide accompanying the Koreans was found on the 22nd.

Among the remaining missing, two bodies (one male and one female) were found and recovered on the 25th. Three people, including Nepalese, remain missing. According to the Chungnam Office of Education, the four missing teachers are Lee Mo (56), Jung Mo (59), Choi Mo (37, female), and Kim Mo (52, female).

The two bodies recovered on the 26th were placed in a hospital near Pokhara, close to the accident site. These two bodies are scheduled to be transported by military helicopter to the Teaching Hospital in Kathmandu, the capital.

Plans regarding the domestic transport or funeral procedures for the bodies have not yet been decided. It is also difficult for the bereaved families to enter Nepal. The Nepalese government has closed its borders to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), and international flights are suspended until the 15th of next month.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.