NEW DELHI, June 6 (Xinhua) -- With the recovery of five more bodies, the death toll of trekkers killed due to extreme weather during their trekking expedition in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand has risen to nine, officials said Thursday.
According to officials, a group comprising 22 trekkers including three local guides were hit by extreme weather on their way to Sahastra Tal in Uttarkashi district, about 170 km northeast of Dehradun, the capital city of Uttarakhand.
Rescuers evacuated 13 members of the group and recovered bodies during their search and rescue operations.
"The news of the death of nine trekkers in an accident caused by bad weather on Sahastra Tal track is very sad. The administration has rescued 13 trekkers safely by conducting a rescue operation with the help of State Disaster Response Force, district administration and Air Force," said Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami in a brief statement posted on social media.
On Wednesday local administration said it recovered four bodies and evacuated 13 trapped trekkers. Two Indian air force helicopters were assisting in the search and rescue operations.
On May 29, the trekkers team embarked on the trekking expedition but lost their way due to bad weather while approaching Sahastra Tal from the last camp, according to officials. They were scheduled to return by June 7.
Organizers of the trekking expedition had requested immediate rescue for the trapped trekkers. ■
