Avalanche in Nepal Annapurna, 21 from Jeonnam Urgently Evacuated 'Safe'

Jeonnam students and teachers embarking on trekking and climbing in the Annapurna region of the Nepal Himalayas (Photo by Jeonnam Office of Education)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] In the Annapurna highlands of Nepal, an avalanche occurred, resulting in four teachers affiliated with the Chungnam Office of Education going missing. On the same day, 21 students and teachers from the Jeonnam region who had gone trekking were confirmed to have evacuated to a safe place, avoiding the avalanche.

According to the Jeonnam Office of Education on the 18th, 20 teachers and students from the ‘Youth Future Challenge Project Himalaya Team’ and one professional mountaineer attempted to climb the Annapurna base camp (ABC, 4,130m) in the Himalayas, the world's 10th highest peak (8,091m), but immediately withdrew upon hearing news of the avalanche.

While heading to the Machapuchare Base Camp (MBC, 3,700m), they witnessed the avalanche near an altitude of 3,000m and, guided by the professional mountaineer, evacuated via a safe route. So far, no injuries or damages have been reported.

The local Nepalese guide at the site stated, “While heading to the Machapuchare 3,700m base camp the previous day, we saw heavy snowfall and an avalanche and immediately withdrew, descending to a safe location.”

They have currently descended to Landruk at an altitude of 1,565m and plan to return to Pokhara, their original departure point, via the Austrian Base Camp on the 19th, before heading home on the 20th.