Dutch women missing after snow hits Nepal hiking ground

Three Dutch female hikers were reported missing for three days after snowstorms hit the Nepalese hiking region of Annapurna on Monday and Tuesday. A team of five British hikers are hoping to find signs of the missing women, taking the same route as the missing trekkers.

According to a spokesperson from Hague tour group Snow Leopard Adventures, the lack of contact is not cause for concern, and may just mean that the women are out of contactable range.

"Due to heavy rain and snowfall we lost contact with some people," said Devendra Lamichanne, senior officer in the Manang district. "The number of people still missing is still unclear."

Earlier in the day, the bodies of two Poles, an Israeli and a Nepalese were found. At least 29 people of various nationalities have lost their lives during the snowstorm on the hiking route. Seventy people are still missing as rescue helicopters patrol the skies.