Bodies of nine Karnataka trekkers who died in Uttarakhand reaches Bengaluru

Deceased bodies handed over to families

“Bodies of the three trekkers who lost their lives in Uttarakhand due to extreme weather conditions arrived at the Bengaluru Airport today via 5.45 am Indigo flight from Delhi. Government officials received the bodies and arrangements were made to transport them to their respective houses,” a government official earlier said.

Bodies of the remaining six trekkers also arrived later, he added.

The deceased have been identified as Padmini Hegde, Venkatesh Prasad, Asha Sudhakar, Padmanabha Kundapur Krishnamurthy, Sindhu Vakekalam, Vinayak Mungurwadi, Sujatha Mungurwadi, Chitra Praneet and Anita Rangappa, he said.

“All nine bodies have arrived and been handed over to respective families for final rites. With the 13 surviving people and nine bodies reaching Bengaluru, all 22 are accounted for. My condolences to families who have lost near and dear ones,” said the official.

#Uttarakhand trekkers rescued by heroic IAF response

In a tragic incident, nine members of a 22-person trekking team from Karnataka lost their lives after being caught in extreme weather conditions in Sahastratal, Uttarkashi. The Indian Air Force (IAF) and State Disaster… pic.twitter.com/cTBRfHsuMx

— South First (@TheSouthfirst) June 7, 2024

Uttarakhand trekking mishap: As death toll rises to 9, Karnataka minister oversees rescue ops

Minister oversees the rescue ops

Karnataka Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda reached Bengaluru on Thursday, 6 June, evening along with 13 survivors.

After the incident came to light, Gowda flew to Dehradun on Wednesday, 5 June, to monitor and coordinate the rescue operation.

In an earlier statement released by Krishna Byre Gowda’s office, the minister said that a team of trekkers from Karnataka started their trek on Tuesday morning in the high-altitude area of Shastratal Mayali in Uttarakhand.

After reaching the destination, the team tried to return to the camp again. However, on the way back, the weather turned completely bad at 2 pm due to a blizzard and they were stranded.

“Last night, we came to know that trekkers from Karnataka are in danger due to adverse weather conditions. As soon as we came to know the matter, the Uttarakhand government, the Mountaineering Federation of India and the Home Department of the Central Government were contacted through the district administration. With their help, the rescue operation is being carried out,” he had said.

Also Read: Five trekkers from Karnataka die in Uttarakhand’s extreme weather conditions

(With PTI inputs)