Nepal trekker survives 47 days lost
KATHMANDU: A Taiwanese trekker rescued from the Himalayas 47 days after going missing is being treated at a hospital in Nepal, where medical staff have lauded his incredible survival.
A search and rescue team found 21yearold Liang Sheng Yueh in a cave about 11.45am on Wednesday (local time) and airlifted him to Kathmandu’s Grande International Hospital. The body of his girlfriend, Liu Chenchun, was discovered nearby.
The university students, who arrived in Nepal in February, had reportedly last been seen on March 9 trekking without a guide towards the Himalayas’ Langtang region.
At the hospital in Kathmandu yesterday, Liang rested in bed, swaddled in blankets, as he was attended to by doctors and loved ones.
Chakra Raj Panday, the hospital’s medical director, told reporters Liang was in a stable condition.
However, the ordeal had left his body weak, and he was expected to remain in hospital for at least a week.
Liang’s survival was largely due to the efforts of Kathmandubased company Asian Trekking, which was contacted by rela tives of the missing couple to help to trace their route.
Ang Tshering Sherpa, chairman of Asian Trekking, said the team was alerted to the site of the rescue, in a deep gorge, when they spotted vultures and crows moving around.
Staff at the hospital have lauded the young trekker’s remarkable survival.
‘‘Liang is a very experienced trekker and he survived by taking salt and snow. He is a very patient person,’’ the medical director said.
‘‘For me, this should be a world record for surviving in this condition.’’ — EFE