Kathmandu (AsiaNews) – Due to bad weather conditions, thousands of tourists, including several Italians, are still stuck in Lukla (the gateway to Everest). Only a few hours ago relief efforts began evacuations. The hikers have been stranded since last October 31. Only about 500 people, out of about 2,500, have been able to leave the base camp, where according to local sources basic necessities have become scarce. Pasang Lhamu Sherpa, head of Luckla Hospital, says more than 30 people have been treated for the cold and pneumonia.
Today, a rescue helicopter was able to pick five Russian tourists, but because of a problem to the propeller it had to make an emergency landing in Charikot in Dolakha district.
Nepal Army spokesman Ramindra Chhetri says the military is trying to launch combat helicopters and large-capacity Mi-17aircraft, capable of carrying dozens of people at a time. Unfortunately the weather conditions are still prohibitive and poor visibility would endanger operations. It will take at least 48 hours before the evacuation would finish.
According to Mahendra Singh Thapa, president of the Trekking Agents Association of Nepal, all small hotels and lodges located in the area around Everest are short of food. Every day, dozens of tourists fleeing from the high altitude base camps arrive at villages, asking the population for help which is depleting meager resources. Thapa says that for economic reasons the cost of the evacuations will have to be paid for by the hikers themselves and their trekking agencies. The cost varies from around 350 to 400 dollars per person, for aid provided by the State, and can be up to 700 dollars per rescue from private companies.
Two thousand foreign hikers still stuck on Everest
The evacuation began a few hours ago the. Since last October 31, only 500 people have managed to descend to the valley on foot or aboard a small aircraft. In the villages at the foot of Everest food and basic necessities are lacking. About 30 people have been hospitalized for pneumonia and hypothermia.
