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Nepal disaster: Anxious wait for families of UK trekkers Nepal disaster: Anxious wait for families of UK trekkers
(35 minutes later)
The sister of a British mountaineer missing in Nepal after storms and avalanches hit the Himalayas has said she is concerned for his safety. The sister of a British mountaineer who went missing in Nepal after storms hit the Himalayas has spoken of her relief that his tour group is "fine".
Amanda Vardy said her brother, Nigel Vardy, had been in "constant contact with the family and then it stopped". Amanda Vardy said she had received the news in an email from the tour company that her brother, Nigel, was with.
At least 39 people have died in the storms and 150 have been injured, the Nepali authorities have said.At least 39 people have died in the storms and 150 have been injured, the Nepali authorities have said.
Others, who had been on trekking holidays, remain missing and a Facebook page has been set up to help find them.Others, who had been on trekking holidays, remain missing and a Facebook page has been set up to help find them.
Ms Vardy said her family had been keeping up to date on the disaster through the news and social media. Ms Vardy had previously spoken of her concern for her brother who had been in "constant contact with the family" before communications suddenly stopped.
"All we are getting is what the news is saying. We are at a loss," she said. But she said she had now received an email which read: "All our team are fine and secure.
"It's saying no Britons are injured and none are dead and yet Nigel is British and we have no information. Somewhere there are Britons who have been stranded." "They safely reached base camp. Don't worry, weather is getting better now."
Ice climber 'Drinking whisky'
Ms Vardy said her brother, who is from Belper in Derbyshire, was a "very experienced" ice climber who would help others if they were stranded together. Ms Vardy said: "The Britons that Nigel was with have all come back safe.
She said her family had tried to persuade him to give up the hobby. "We will get full confirmation when people have talked to him - so, good news.
"We love him very much. However, we've said to him on many occasions, especially mum and dad, not to do it. My mum hates it. But it wouldn't be Nigel without the sport." "We just need now the 'Nigel is drinking whisky in a tent' and I'll be very happy."
Ms Vardy said her family had tried to persuade her brother, who is from Belper in Derbyshire, to give up his ice climbing hobby.
The father of a Chesterfield woman in Nepal said he received an email from a tour company saying she and her husband were safe at base camp.The father of a Chesterfield woman in Nepal said he received an email from a tour company saying she and her husband were safe at base camp.
He said he believed Mr Vardy was with them, although this has not been confirmed.He said he believed Mr Vardy was with them, although this has not been confirmed.
An unknown number of other Britons, many of them on trekking holidays, remain missing.An unknown number of other Britons, many of them on trekking holidays, remain missing.
'Out of touch'
A BBC correspondent in Nepal said some people not heard from could be on other trekking routes where they were safe.A BBC correspondent in Nepal said some people not heard from could be on other trekking routes where they were safe.
Many would be unable to contact their families even if they were not affected by the storms.Many would be unable to contact their families even if they were not affected by the storms.
"Once they are on the mountains they are completely out of touch," BBC correspondent Andrew North said."Once they are on the mountains they are completely out of touch," BBC correspondent Andrew North said.
The Foreign Office said it had no information so far that any Britons were among the casualties.The Foreign Office said it had no information so far that any Britons were among the casualties.
It is advising those in the affected area to call their families and to check its online travel advice and social media for updates.It is advising those in the affected area to call their families and to check its online travel advice and social media for updates.
A spokesperson said: "We are in close contact with the local authorities, who are managing the rescue operation."A spokesperson said: "We are in close contact with the local authorities, who are managing the rescue operation."
Mountaineer Alan Hinkes said many of those caught up in the storms would have been tourists.Mountaineer Alan Hinkes said many of those caught up in the storms would have been tourists.
"Normally the weather there is very pleasant. At the moment it must be horrendous. It seems they have been in white-out conditions," he said."Normally the weather there is very pleasant. At the moment it must be horrendous. It seems they have been in white-out conditions," he said.
"If you get caught out in those conditions, which are almost Arctic, you've had it."If you get caught out in those conditions, which are almost Arctic, you've had it.
"There would have been trekkers not knowing what they were letting themselves in for.""There would have been trekkers not knowing what they were letting themselves in for."
Stranded
Mr Hinkes said the Nepali authorities needed more helicopters for the rescue effort.Mr Hinkes said the Nepali authorities needed more helicopters for the rescue effort.
A total of 282 people have been brought down from the Annapurna mountain range following the storms.A total of 282 people have been brought down from the Annapurna mountain range following the storms.
Stranded
The bad weather hit a resting place 4,500m (14,800ft) above sea level, not far below the circuit's highest point, the Thorung La pass.The bad weather hit a resting place 4,500m (14,800ft) above sea level, not far below the circuit's highest point, the Thorung La pass.
Some survivors are thought to be stranded in lodges and huts.Some survivors are thought to be stranded in lodges and huts.
A British man who survived the storm claimed people had been "herded to their deaths" by ill-equipped guides.A British man who survived the storm claimed people had been "herded to their deaths" by ill-equipped guides.
Paul Sherridan, 49, from Doncaster, said his party should not have been taken up the mountain because of the bad weather forecast.Paul Sherridan, 49, from Doncaster, said his party should not have been taken up the mountain because of the bad weather forecast.
One Briton, who had been missing, has now been in touch with friends.
She said she had been "out of reach due to poor [internet] signal", according to posts on her Facebook page.