Pinoy mountaineers, trekkers affected by Nepal quake all safe –DFA

The Philippine Embassy in New Delhi confirmed the safety of Filipino mountaineers and trekkers affected by the 7.9-magnitude earthquake in Nepal, adding on Wednesday that most are on their way back to the Philippines.

Mendelson dela Cuesta and Edward Sampelo, the two Filipinos stranded atop Mt. Manaslu, were confirmed safe by their Nepalese sherpa and will descend the eighth-tallest mountain in the world using an alternative route, a statement from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.

Meanwhile, trekkers Ma. Teresa Suratos, her travel group, and both Jessica Ann Nicole F. Ramirez and Jose Francisco C. Oracion have also made it to safety, with Suratos and her group making its way to Kathmandu and the latter two heading for Singapore from the capital.

Stranded tourist Hygeia Chi was also assisted by the Embassy's Crisis Management Team (CMT) and departed for Kuala Lumpur from Kathmandu on Wednesday afternoon, the DFA said.

The CMT also confirmed that there was no Filipinos in local evacuation centers and hospitals.

At least 5,006 persons have died from Nepal's worst earthquake in eight decades, according to reports.

Nepal's Prime Minister Sushil Koirala fears that the Himalayan country's death toll could reach 10,000. —Rie Takumi/KBK, GMA News

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