Four Brits among group of climbers missing in Indian Himalayas

A search is underway after seven climbers went missing a week ago during an expedition in the Indian Himalayas, local authorities have said.

Four Brits, two Americans, an Australian and their Indian guide are feared to be trapped by an avalanche as they attempted to scale Nanda Devi, the second highest peak in India at 25,000 ft tall.

The group has reportedly been missing since May 25, after it failed to reach its base camp at 19,685 ft on May 26 as expected.

Local Uttarakhand District Magistrate Vijay Kumar Jogdande told CNN that the Himalayan Treks - the agency which arranged the expedition - waited a few days after the team went missing before alerting authorities of the disappearance on May 31.

Heavy traffic of mountain climbers line up to stand at the summit of Mount Everest.
AFP/Getty Images/Project Possible

A spokesperson for the UK Foreign Office said: "We are in contact with the Indian authorities following reports that a number of British nationals are missing in the Indian Himalayas.

"We will do all we can to assist any British people who need our help."

The Australian department of Foreign Affairs also said it was providing assistant to a victims family but declined to give further details.

A released statement said: "'The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is providing consular assistance to the family of an Australian that may be among a group of trekkers missing in the Nanda Devi area of India.

"Due to privacy obligations, we are unable to provide further information."

11 climbers have died on Mount Everest this year.
AP

It follows the deaths of 11 climbers on Mount Everest this year.

In May, extraordinary pictures of people queueing to reach the summit sparked concerns over the increased commercialisation of mountaineering expeditions.

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