The bodies of two women and a man among the five people who went missing in an avalanche at Byas Rural Municipality-1 of Darchula district have been found today. They had gone to the foothills of the Himalayas to collect yarsagumba (Cordecyps sinensis), the valuable alpine herb. The Armed Police Force (APF) had rescued seven persons on Tuesday and five had been missing.

Chief of APF No 50 Company based in Chhangru of Darchula, Deputy Superintendent Ishwori Datta Bhatta said that three bodies were found this afternoon.

"Nepal Police, the Armed Police Force personnel and locals have reached the site after the bodies were found. Although the bodies have been found, their identity is yet to be ascertained," Bhatta said. Although the APF team was mobilized for search and rescue operations since Tuesday afternoon, the task was hampered by continuous rain and snowfall. "We were involved in searching for the missing people until 9.30 pm yesterday. A team has been deputed since the morning today as well," he said. According to him, the people who had gone to collect yarsagumba were camping in tents.”