By Xinhua
Kathmandu : Rescuers Friday recovered 16 bodies of Yarshagumba herb collectors who had gone missing in snowstorm at Dolpa district in northwestern Nepal.
According to a press release issued by Nepal Army (NA)'s public relations directorate, rescuers found the bodies during a search and rescue mission Friday morning.
According to the release, arrangements are being made to bring the bodies to the district headquarters, Dunai.
On Thursday, 30 of the 1,000 herb collectors, who survived a snowstorm on Saturday, came into contact with the members of the rescue team. The rescue team reached the site of the incident Thursday afternoon.
The rescue team includes 13 NA soldiers, three police personnel, two medical worker and a guide.
The NA has also been continuing search by helicopter as well.
The Army Public Relations Directorate said the helicopter was carrying out the mission in Kaigaun area of Dolpa district, some 280 km northwest of Kathmandu.
A majority of the rural poor from the high mountain areas of the Western Development Regions in Nepal depend on these herbs which they sell for a living. Around this time every year the villagers scour the mountainous areas for the herb believed to have great medicinal value.