KATHMANDU, Nepal – More than 140 international tourists have been stranded at Tenzing-Hillary airport, Lukla, the only airport for Everest region in Nepal, for more than six days.
They have been stranded there due to bad weather conditions. Tourists from China, England, New Zealand, Australia and among other countries are stranded in Lukla. Talking to Xinhua, Chinese tourists and businessman Liu Jianxin said that the airport gave no confirmation as to when the flights would resume.
“The weather condition is very bad. We have been stranded here since the past six days and still there is no confirmation as to when we can get the flight back to Kathmandu,” Liu said.
Liu who has been staying at Khumbu resort said that due to the cold weather, the situation is very difficult.
Tenzing-Hillary airport also known as Lukla airport, is a small airport in the town of Lukla, Sagarmatha zone, eastern Nepal.
The airport is considered one of the world’s most dangerous one due to its surrounding terrain, thin air, highly changeable weather and the airport’s short, sloping runway.
Fourteen people were killed in a crash in August 2010 when the flight failed to land at the airport.
When asked about the possible rescue operation for the stranded tourists, authorities said that no formal request has arrived.
Talking to Xinhua, Nepal Army Spokesperson General Ramindra Chhetri said, “As soon as a formal request arrives and we will be directed through the Ministry of Defense via Ministry of Tourism, we will begin the rescue.”
“The weather condition still makes it difficult, but we will try our best once we receive a request,” he said.
