Third from Kolkata among Uttarkashi dead climbers; another body arrives

KOLKATA: Another climber from New Barrackpore, who had gone missing, was identified as dead by the Nehru Institute of Mountaineering on Monday. He is the third of the four climbers from the city who went missing after an avalanche struck during the advanced training course conducted by NIM.

On Monday, NIM officials confirmed the identity of Sandip Sarkar. "It is difficult to get such news one after another. This is an adventure sport and all of the climbers are ready for bad situations. But we never lost so many climbers in such a short span in the recent past," said Debashis Biswas, a climber from Everest. Biswas, who spoke to Sarkar's family members, said his body is likely to be sent from Dehradun on Tuesday. A total of five trainees, including Sarkar, were identified on Monday.

Meanwhile, Amit Kumar Shaw's body reached Kolkata airport on Monday. State sports minister Aroop Biswas was at the airport to receive the coffin. It was handed over to Shaw's wife Kanyakumari, and taken to their residence at Muchipara Bazar.

A total of 41 climbers were above camp I of the Mount Draupadi ka Danda-II when the avalanche struck. The rescue operation has so far recovered 27 bodies. According to the rescue bulletin issued on Monday, 26 of them have so far been identified. Two other climbers, including Saurav Biswas from Kanchrapara, are still missing.

Madhurima Banerjee from Barrackpore had opted out of the team following breathing distress. She started for her home on Monday.