Nepal snow storm death toll reaches 21

The death toll from a snow storm in Nepal triggered by a cyclone in neighbouring India reached 21 on Wednesday (15/10/2014), authorities said.

Five more bodies were recovered in Manang district, according to Baburam Bhandari, the chief officer of Mustang district, where the incident occurred. They were identified as four Canadian trekkers and an Indian citizen.

Earlier, authorities said 16 people had died, including seven trekkers: one from Vietnam; three from Israel; and three from Poland.

Four Israelis, five Germans, four Polish citizens were among those rescued, according to Bhandari.

Altogether 168 people were heading towards the Thorang La pass in the central mountains of Nepal, part of the well-known Annapurna route on Tuesday, when heavy snowfall hampered their trip.

Bhandari said that 60 people who had been rescued earlier had been admitted to the nearby Jomsom Hospital. Nineteen who were injured were airlifted to Kathmandu and Pokhara hospitals.

Authorities said some people were still out of contact as bad weather had affected telecommunications.

Nepal has experienced bad weather for the last two days, partly caused by Cyclone Hudhud in neighbouring India. Weather showed improvement on Wednesday.

September-October is a popular trekking season in Nepal. - Sapa-dpa