Assam pilgrims, mountaineers caught in Nepal quake

Guwahati: Several members of a team from Assam, on a pilgrimage to Nepal, have been reported missing in Saturday’s devastating earthquake that rocked the neighbouring country, jolts of which were felt in many parts of India, including Assam.
However, another team of 11 mountaineers from Assam, on a mission to scale Mouth Everest, is reported to be safe.
Local television channels here said that a team of 26 pilgrims from Assam, mostly from Guwahati, was on a trip to Nepal.
Out of the 26 pilgrims, nearly 20 have been reported missing, family members of the pilgrims were quoted as stating.
Part of the hotel where the pilgrims were staying had reportedly collapsed under impact of the quake and rescue operations were on to locate the missing people.
About four of the pilgrims have already been rescued and operations were on to locate and rescue the others.
Another team of 11 mountaineers from the state, camping at the base camp to scale Mount Everest, has been stated to be safe.
President of the Assam Mountaineering Association informed mediapersons here that the team was away on a practice track when the quake hit the area. Parts of the base camp was damaged, but the team remained unhurt as they were away at the practice track.
The Assam team has returned to a lower point from the base camp for the time being till repairs were done.
Hundreds of people have died in the Himalayan nation of Nepal. The earthquake of 7.9 intensity and epicentred in that country had rocked it this forenoon.
A moderate intensity quake of 7.5 magnitude jolted several parts of India, including Assam, immediately after the Nepal quake. (UNI)