British climbers feared missing in Indian Himalayas

Group failed to return to base camp after attempting to reach summit of ‘unclimbed peak’

Nanda Devi mountain peak in the Indian state of Uttarakhand (iStockphoto)

Four British climbers are feared missing after their expedition failed to return from India’s second highest mountain.

The group of eight, including Tyneside-born leader Martin Moran, set off on the three-week hike up Nanda Devi last month.

They were planning to make a summit attempt on an unclimbed peak at 6,477 metres (21,250ft), according to a Facebook post on 22 May.

Indian authorities have sent out a rescue team to try and find the group, which also includes two climbers from the US, one from Australia and a local liaison officer.

A spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said: “We are in contact with the Indian authorities following reports that a number of British nationals are missing in the Indian Himalayas.

“We will do all we can to assist any British people who need our help.”

The group set off on 12 May and reached Nanda Devi East base camp six days later.

They reached second base camp at 4870 metres (15,977ft) on 22 May and were due to stay there a week while making a recce of their route to the top.

The group was due to return to base camp on Friday.

Ruth McCance, an experienced climber from Sydney, has been named as the Australian member of the group.

Local mountaineers reported there was a heavy avalanche along the route.

Nanda Devi was first climbed by a British-American team in 1936, while its slightly smaller twin summit Nanda Devi East was conquered by a Polish team three years later.