MANANG, Oct 24: The bodies of two Japanese climbers who went missing while attempting to scale Mount Gangapurna have been found, authorities said on Friday.
Japanese nationals Hidesuke Taneishi and Tetsu Hashimoto had gone missing while climbing the 7,455-meter Gangapurna Himal in Gyasyang Rural Municipality-6. According to Chief District Officer Mukti Prasad Khanal, they had undertaken the expedition with a Nepali guide through Kathmandu-based Cosmo Adventure Company and had been out of contact since October 15.
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“After losing contact with them at around 7,050 meters, helicopters and rescue teams were deployed to search for them. During the search, the bags and climbing equipment they had used were found,” Khanal said.
“After a continuous search, both bodies were found at around 6,300 meters on the southern side of Mount Gangapurna,” he added.
Khanal said preparations were underway to transport the bodies to Kathmandu. Following autopsies, the bodies will be handed over to their families in coordination with the Japanese Embassy in Nepal.