Nepal earthquake: Operators join FCO in hunt for British tourists
UK travel companies are working closely with the Foreign Office to locate and assist British tourists in Nepal following Saturday’s earthquake.
More than 3,300 people have been killed in the 7.8-magnitude quake which struck an area of central Nepal between the capital Kathmandu and the city of Pokhara early on Saturday, followed by several strong aftershocks on Sunday.
The earthquake triggered avalanches on Mount Everest killing at least 18 people and injuring 61 others.
The Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond believes several hundred British nationals are in Nepal at this time of year.
"We expect that almost certainly some will have been caught up in the earthquakes," he said.
"But at this moment we have no reports of any British nationals killed or injured."
He said British Embassy staff are on the ground and have already provided practical help to around 200 British nationals.
Teams of consular staff have also been scouring hospitals, hotels and areas popular with tourists.
"Damage to communications infrastructure caused by the earthquakes is making it difficult to contact people who may have been trekking in remote areas so it may be some time before we, working with the tour companies, are able to identify who is in Nepal and to account for them," said Hammond.
"The Foreign Office is urgently deploying additional consular response teams from London and Delhi to reinforce our embassy staff and looking at what else we can do."
The Foreign Ofice advised against all but essential travel to Nepal following the earthquake.
"If you are in a safe place, you should stay where you are until it is safe to leave," it said. "You should follow any advice provided by the local authorities. If you can leave Nepal safely then we advise that you should do so."
Sheffield-based tour operator Jagged Globe has confirmed the death of one of its clients, 33-year-old American Daniel Fredinburg, a Google executive.
It said two other team members have non-life threatening injuries as a result of the avalanche that struck base camp during the earthquake and its aftershocks.
In a statement on its websites, it said the injured were being looked after in base camp.
"All Sherpas and other team members are uninjured and are safe in base camp or in Gorak Shep, a nearby cluster of tea houses and lodges," it said.
"Our thoughts and prayers go out to Dan’s family and friends whilst we pray too for all those who have lost their lives in one of the greatest tragedies ever to hit this Himalayan nation."
Helicopters were sent this morning to Everest to rescue 210 climbers who were stranded on the mountain when the earthquake swept away ropes and ladders. Around 50 have been resuced so far.
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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