KATHMANDU: At least six trekkers including four Koreans went missing from Deurali area in Kaski district after an avalanche. It has triggered from heavy snowfall hit the trail route along the Annapurna trekking circuit on Friday.

Arjun Paudel, General Secretary of Korea Tours and Trekking Operators Association. These four Korean trekkers along with their two Nepali guides were missing in the avalanche. The four Korean members were Lee , Jeong , Kim and Jang. It also includes two Nepali Guides. They went missing in the avalanche near Deurali area. He also said, adding that identity of Nepali guides have not been known yet.

They had also started ABC trekking on January 15, he added.

Rescue efforts are underway, with local authorities and search teams mobilizing to locate the missing individuals. The avalanche is reported to have struck the group unexpectedly, amid challenging weather conditions in the mountainous terrain.

Concerns for the safety of the missing trekkers and guides are mounting as time passes, with hopes pinned on the swift and effective response of rescue teams. The Annapurna region is known for its stunning but perilous landscapes, presenting risks such as avalanches and harsh weather, particularly during certain seasons.

Families and loved ones of the missing individuals await updates anxiously, as authorities intensify their efforts to locate and rescue those caught in this devastating incident.

Raj Kumar KC, Deputy Superintendent of Police in Pokhara, said that a police team has already left for Deurali to carry out search and rescue operations. “Details are still awaited,” he added.

The Korean trekkers’ team was managed by Kathmandu-based Travel Net Trekking company, Paudel said.

(The first name of the missing Korean tourists is withheld on family request.)