Nepal army rescues 117 stranded in trekking villages after devastating earthquake

The Nepali army has rescued 117 people from three remote mountain villages north of the capital Kathmandu, including two US citizens who had been searching for a missing relative, a military official said on Tuesday.

The 115 Nepalis and two Americans were evacuated on Monday from Syanjen, Kenjing and Langtang Village, where hundreds of people were killed in a huge landslide and avalanche triggered by last month's earthquake.

All of those rescued were stranded in the three popular trekking villages in Rasuwa district, about 60 km (35 miles) north of Kathmandu, after the 7.8 earthquake struck on April 25, killing at least 8,046 people and injured more than 17,800.

A series of avalanches and bad weather in the area had slowed the military's efforts to reach those cut off.

"The entire Langtang Valley has turned into a rocky and snowy ruin due to avalanches," Uddhav Bhattarai, Rasuwa's district administrator, told Reuters.

On Sunday, the continuing avalanche risk led officials to suspend their search for some 200 bodies believed to be buried beneath the rock and snow in Langtang Village.

As of Monday, 128 bodies had been recovered there.

"Rescuers have been unable to go there to look for bodies since the weekend because avalanches continue to fall and make it dangerous," Bhattarai said.

The US citizens rescued on Monday were with a Nepali guide, a military official said, and were brought to the district capital of Dhunche along with the Nepalis who were rescued.

related articles
Nepal: Death toll passes 6,200, $2 billion needed for rebuilding
Nepal: Death toll passes 6,200, $2 billion needed for rebuilding

Nepal: Death toll passes 6,200, $2 billion needed for rebuilding

Hillsong appeals for Nepal earthquake relief
Hillsong appeals for Nepal earthquake relief

Hillsong appeals for Nepal earthquake relief

Sex traffickers prey on vulnerable Nepali girls in aftermath of earthquake
Sex traffickers prey on vulnerable Nepali girls in aftermath of earthquake

Sex traffickers prey on vulnerable Nepali girls in aftermath of earthquake

Nepal earthquake exposes discrimination against country\'s minority Christians
Nepal earthquake exposes discrimination against country's minority Christians

Nepal earthquake exposes discrimination against country's minority Christians

News
A brief history of Christmas bans
A brief history of Christmas bans

These days, Christmas is hard to miss and nearly impossible to avoid. But at various times it has been banned in different countries, including Britain. This is the story …

Organisers of Christmas evangelistic campaign thrilled with impact
Organisers of Christmas evangelistic campaign thrilled with impact

Organisers of this year's Shine Your Light Christmas evangelistic outreach have been "overwhelmed" by the response from local churches.

Reach out to others, says Salvation Army, as 1.8 million Brits set to spend Christmas Day alone
Reach out to others, says Salvation Army, as 1.8 million Brits set to spend Christmas Day alone

People are being urged to reach out after polling suggested 1.8 million UK adults will spend Christmas Day alone, even though they do not want to.

Another Christmas in hardship for Gaza church
Another Christmas in hardship for Gaza church

For Christians sheltering in the Holy Family parish in Gaza, there will be few comforts this Christmas.