IAF rescues persons from frozen Zanskar river in the UT of Ladakh

Rescues more than 107 individuals from the frozen river

50 trekkers including nine foreign nationals and approximately equal
number of local guides and porters, who were a part of the ongoing ‘Chadar
Trek’, got stranded when some portions of the frozen Zanskar River melted. The
melting caused the flow of the water to become too strong for the trekkers to
continue across the river on foot. 

The stranded trekkers managed to move to Niraq, a small camp site
upstream and were awaiting to be rescued. To carry out a rescue by helicopters,
a makeshift helipad was prepared along the river bank. ALH helicopters were
immediately pressed into action from AF Stn Leh. 

IAF’s helicopters have rescued 107 individuals during the last two
days. 

The rescued trekkers include one male and one female from France and
four male and three females from People’s Republic of China, who as per the
information were rescued from Padum. 

IAF will continue the ongoing rescue operation till all the stranded
trekkers, guides and porters are evacuated and brought to safety. Additionally,
in order to provide medical facilities to the stranded trekkers a medical
officer and a medical assistant were also flown from AF Stn Leh to Niraq. The
team has setup a medical assistance camp at Niraq and are providing basic
medical assistance to the stranded trekkers.

The operations were undertaken by IAF in close coordination with
Ladakh’s newly formed Civil Administration, nearby Indian Army units and local
Disaster Relief Teams.