16 die in western Nepal in Midnight blizzard

Kathmandu, May 30: At least 16 people were killed and hundreds others seriously injured, while some hundreds were suspected missing after a midnight blizzard hit Tyangtung of Kaigaon in western Nepal.

More than a thousand residents from Tyangtung had flocked the northern region to collect yarchagumba, a natural herb found in the Himalayan region.

Home Ministry spokesperson Baman Prasad Neupane confirmed the death of 16 people and said 100 others had been injured.

He said the dead were from Sarmi Village Development Committee of Dolpa district.

The relief works at Tyangtung could not take place today as the rescue team failed to reach the site in a helicopter due to adverse weather conditions, Home ministry press release said.

Rescuers of the Nepal Police and Nepal Army are learnt to have headed towards the affected region on foot from Dunai on being informed of the incident.

Thousands of people gather to collect Yarsagumba in the area every year. The herb is found in the remote region of the Himalayan kingdom.

UNI