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