Bodies of two missing Japanese climbers found

KATHMANDU:- The bodies of Japanese mountaineers who went missing while attempting to climb Mount Gangapurna in Manang have been found.

The bodies of Japanese nationals Hidesuke Taneishi and Tetsu Hashimoto—who had gone missing during an expedition to the 7,455-meter-tall Mount Gangapurna, located in Ward No. 6 of Ngisyang Rural Municipality—were discovered on Friday.

According to Chief District Officer Mukti Prasad Khanal, they—who had set out for a mountain expedition accompanied by a Nepali guide through the Kathmandu-based company ‘Cosmo Adventure’—had been out of contact since Ashoj 29.

“After contact was lost at an altitude of approximately 7,050 meters, a helicopter and a rescue team were deployed to search for them. During the search, the bags and climbing gear they had been using were discovered,” said Chief District Officer Khanal. “Following an extensive search, both bodies were found on Friday on the southern face of Mount Gangapurna, at an altitude of approximately 6,300 meters.”

He stated that preparations are underway to send the bodies to Kathmandu, and that following an examination, they will be handed over to the families in coordination with the Embassy of Japan in Nepal.

Two Japanese mountaineers, who were part of an expedition to climb Mount Gangapurna, have been out of contact since October 15.