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Nepal Annapurna: Climbing disaster toll reaches 32 Nepal Annapurna: Climbing disaster toll reaches 39
(about 1 hour later)
At least 32 climbers have died on a key Nepali hiking route after it was hit by major snowstorms and avalanches earlier this week, officials say. At least 39 climbers died on a key Nepali hiking route after it was hit by major snowstorms and avalanches earlier this week, officials say.
Mountain rescue teams are out for the fourth day, searching for missing trekkers, and it is feared more bodies lie beneath the snow. Helicopters are helping rescuers high in the Himalayas as they search on for missing trekkers, with fears that more bodies lie beneath the snow.
A total of 282 people have been rescued from the mountain ranges in what is Nepal's worst-ever trekking disaster. A total of 289 people have been rescued from the mountain ranges in what is Nepal's worst-ever trekking disaster.
Some climbers have accused their guides of abandoning them. A government spokesman said the priority was to rescue stranded people.
A spokesman for the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal told the AFP news agency the focus of the rescue operation was now geared towards the recovery of bodies. Tourism ministry official Suresh Acharya told BBC Nepali that helicopters were scouring snowy areas as high as 5,790m (19,000ft).
The BBC's Andrew North in Nepal says that it is still not clear which climbers have been accounted for and which are still missing. One of the main trekking routes - the Thorung La pass, the high point of the Annapurna Circuit - is now "relatively safe" after the army cleared snow, he said.
"We are told that there are around still 20-25 persons in the area and they are safe," the official added.
The focus of the rescue operation is now on recovering bodies, a spokesman for the Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal told AFP news agency.
The BBC's Andrew North in Nepal says that it is still unclear which climbers have been accounted for and which are still missing.
The task of the authorities is made more complicated because there are thousands of climbers in Nepal at this time of the year.The task of the authorities is made more complicated because there are thousands of climbers in Nepal at this time of the year.
Rescuers have only limited resources and most of the missing and dead are believed to be at heights of around 5,000m (16,000ft), our correspondent says. Rescuers have only limited resources and most of the missing and dead are believed to be at the maximum heights that helicopters can reach.
Nepalese, Israeli, Canadian, Indian, Slovak and Polish trekkers are among the dead.Nepalese, Israeli, Canadian, Indian, Slovak and Polish trekkers are among the dead.
Many survivors have been left with severe frostbite and will have to have limbs amputated.Many survivors have been left with severe frostbite and will have to have limbs amputated.
On Saturday, helicopters were again searching the area around a high mountain pass on the Annapurna Trail, where most of the deaths occurred.
Nepal earns huge revenues from the tens of thousands of trekkers and climbers who flock to the Himalayas every year.Nepal earns huge revenues from the tens of thousands of trekkers and climbers who flock to the Himalayas every year.
However, it remains a very poor country and the authorities here have struggled to cope with the scale of this disaster, our correspondent says.However, it remains a very poor country and the authorities here have struggled to cope with the scale of this disaster, our correspondent says.
What is the Annapurna Circuit?What is the Annapurna Circuit?
Nepal blizzards: Survival guideNepal blizzards: Survival guide
This has been a particularly deadly year for Nepal's trekking and mountaineering industry.This has been a particularly deadly year for Nepal's trekking and mountaineering industry.
An avalanche on Mount Everest in April killed 16 Sherpa guides and resulted in a significant drop in the number of expeditions to the world's highest peak.An avalanche on Mount Everest in April killed 16 Sherpa guides and resulted in a significant drop in the number of expeditions to the world's highest peak.
The latest disaster comes at the height of the trekking period.The latest disaster comes at the height of the trekking period.
Are you or anyone you know affected by this story? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.ukAre you or anyone you know affected by this story? You can email haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (international). Or you can upload here.
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