This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-29672124
The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 9 | Version 10 |
---|---|
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 who went missing in Nepal after storms hit the Himalayas has spoken of her relief that his tour group is "fine". | |
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 had previously spoken of her concern for her brother who had been in "constant contact with the family" before communications suddenly stopped. | |
But she said she had now received an email which read: "All our team are fine and secure. | |
"They safely reached base camp. Don't worry, weather is getting better now." | |
'Drinking whisky' | |
Ms Vardy said: "The Britons that Nigel was with have all come back safe. | |
"We will get full confirmation when people have talked to him - so, good news. | |
"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. |
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. |