News

Trekkers airlifted from flash floods in Himalayas

British trekkers have been airlifted from a remote part of Kashmir after becoming trapped following flash flooding in the Himalayas.

The group of 20 students and three teachers were trekking in Ladakh region when they became trapped on Tuesday.

The evacuation began on Thursday, with the trekkers airlifted in two groups by the Indian Air Force.

Adventure Lifesigns, which organised the expedition, said the team was “at no time” lost and no-one was injured, the BBC reported.

The group of 23, along with five local staff, had been part of a three-week developmental expedition to India, said Adventure Lifesigns, which organises outdoor educational programmes for school groups.

They were rescued close to Leh, in the mountainous Ladakh region, which is part of Indian-administered Kashmir.

Adventure Lifesigns said the team was split into two groups to be airlifted because Ladakh is at high altitude and helicopters in the region can only carry limited numbers.

The company said a lack of light meant the helicopter could not fly the remaining group out on Thursday, but they “have subsequently been picked up and are now back in Leh town”.

“Safety is paramount on all of our expeditions. At no time was any of the group in danger. After the heavy rains began, they initially camped near the swollen Markha river and waited for the rains to subside and river levels to drop,” Adventure Lifesigns said in a statement.

“We were in regular contact with the team and they had adequate supplies and camping equipment. Due to their imminent return to the UK, it was decided for speed to air evacuate them back to Leh airport.”

Share article

View Comments

Jacobs Media is honoured to be the recipient of the 2020 Queen's Award for Enterprise.

The highest official awards for UK businesses since being established by royal warrant in 1965. Read more.