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Nepal: Hundreds of trekkers stranded on mountain trails after coronavirus lockdown

Hundreds of trekkers are stranded on high-altitude trekking trails across Nepal due to a nationwide lockdown designed to contain the coronavirus spread.

There are about 500 foreign trekkers on at least four trekking routes unable to return due to the lockdown, which started Tuesday and will last for a week.

Also read: Nepal announces nationwide lockdown till March 31 as coronavirus infects two

“We are working with multiple government agencies to rescue the trekkers and bring them to Kathmandu, so that we can coordinate with the embassies to fly them back home,” said Shradha Shrestha, a spokeswoman for the Nepal Tourism Board.

Also read: Nepal closes Mount Everest for climbers because of coronavirus fears

“Several embassies such as the German and French are already planning to send chartered flights to some of these areas to rescue the trekkers. The tourism board has launched a website to make it easier for the stranded trekkers to reach out to authorities,” she added.

Nepal’s government announced earlier this month the spring climbing season for all the Himalayan peaks in the country, including the world’s highest Mount Everest, would be canceled due to coronavirus.

Source: Thanks WIONews.com