New Delhi: All seven Army personnel who were trapped in an avalanche in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh have been confirmed dead and their bodies retrieved.
"Bodies of all seven individuals have been recovered from the avalanche site. Unfortunately, despite the best efforts of everyone involved all seven have been confirmed deceased," said the Indian army statement on Tuesday as reported by news agency ANI.
The bodies of the soldiers are currently being transferred from the avalanche site to the nearest Army medical facility for further formalities, said the army.
The patrol team was hit by an avalanche in Kameng sector of the state on Sunday, February 6. A search and rescue operation was immediately carried out to by the army to locate the team.
According to the army, the area was witnessing inclement weather conditions and heavy snowfall for the last few days. The Kameng sector borders Bhutan and China and is located at a height of over 14,000 feet.