DHAKA: An Indian was among 21 trekkers killed while 85 others remained missing after being hit by one of the worst snow storms in western Nepal on Wednesday.

Sixteen people – Nine Nepalese, three Polish, three Israelis and one Vietnamese – were killed and as many as 19 others were injured in Mustang district, Indiaexpress.com reports.

Similarly, five foreigners have been killed in snowfall in Manang district. Among the deceased are four Canadians and one Indian national.

The incident occurred in Thorang Pass area which lies between border of Manang and Mustang districts at an altitude of 5,416 metres.

The sudden heavy snow fall in the area is attributed to Hudhud cyclone, that hit southern India recently. Heavy rainfalls accompanied by hailstorms lashed the central and western regions of Nepal for the past few days.

There were 4 to 5 metre snow fall in the area, according to Gopal Babu Shrestha of Trekking Agencies Association of Nepal (TAAN).

Some 85 foreign trekkers have lost contact with the staff of the trekking company in two separate places of Manang and Mustang districts.

The Nepal Army has said that it has rescued alive 18 foreign trekkers from Mustang area.

BDST: 1025 HRS, OCT 16, 2014