Snow hampers search for missing S Korean, Nepal trekkers Mexican troops block Us-bound caravan travellers

KATHMANDU: Heavy snow, chilling winds and poor visibility hampered the search Sunday for four South Koreans and three Nepalis caught in an ava

lanche in the popular Annapurna region of the Himalayas, officials said.

The missing group was near the Annapurna base camp around 3,230 metres above sea

level when the avalanche struck after heavy snowfall on Friday.

"Search and rescue efforts are underway but weather and snow in the area has made it difficult to make much progress," said Acharya, Nepal's tourism department.

CIUDAD HIDALGO (MEXICO): Mexican troops urged some 1,500 Central American migrants to maintain "order and respect" on Saturday after the group attempted to force entry into the country from Guatemala in the hopes of trekking onward to the United States.

Standing on the wall above the Rodolfo Robles International Bridge that connects Mexico with its southern neighbor, National Guard General Vincente Hernandez told migrants they would be allowed to cross the border in a "controlled" manner.

"With order and respect, all will be served. There are opportunities for everyone," said Hernandez, who also coordinates the National Guard operations along the Suchiate River, the natural border between Mexico and Guatemala.

"We understand the situation, you are our brothers from Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala," Hernandez told the caravan. His speech was met with applause.

Some 800 migrants agreed to regularize their status and seek employment in Mexico, an official from the National Institute of Migration (INM) said.

Earlier Saturday, troops had blocked the caravan, scuffling with the migrants as they attempted to cross the border.