Family, friends mourn death of mountaineer on Everest

Late Monday afternoon, after reports of someone with the same second name being rescued emerged, her family in India started posting frantic messages, hoping for a miracle.

In this photo provided by Azim Afif, a helicopter prepares to rescue people from camp 1 and 2 at Everest Base Camp, Nepal on Monday, April, 27, 2015. On Saturday, a large avalanche triggered by Nepal’s massive earthquake slammed into a section of the Mount Everest mountaineering base camp, killing a number of people and left others unaccounted for. Afif and his team of four others from the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) all survived the avalanche. (Azim Afif via AP)

Frantic efforts of the family of counsellor and mountaineer, Indian-Australian Renu Fotedar (49), on social media about her whereabouts after an earthquake struck Nepal on Saturday culminated in sombre confirmation of her death.

Late Monday afternoon, after reports of someone with the same second name being rescued emerged, her family in India started posting frantic messages, hoping for a miracle. The hope was shortlived. Some of her relatives emailed the company she had gone trekking with, the Himalayan Sherpa Alpine, on Mount Everest. “Already dead and brought to Ktm today,” their reply said.

Minutes later, after an official confirmation by the Australian embassy to family members in Delhi, friends and relatives broke the news of her death, clarifying that her body had been flown to Kathmandu and had been identified by her husband. Messages such as “Renu found asleep, departed to be with God. Thanks for support” were posted by around 6 pm by her relatives and friends.

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Fotedar’s family is based in Switzerland but hold Australian and Indian citizenship.

Her son Tushar did not respond to calls from The Indian Express. Bur on Monday around 9 pm, he tweeted, “It has been confirmed. She is no more. Please do not spread false hope based on incorrect information. It is cruel.”

By Monday evening, at the deceased’s brother-in-law Anil Fotedar’s residence in Indirapuram, friends and family members started pouring in. It is likely her mortal remains will be flown in here. Mehul Fotedar, the deceased’s nephew said, “We are in shock. Till this morning… we hoped someone will be able to tell us she is safe. But got official word from the Australian Embassy today that my uncle has identified her body.”

Mehul said after necessary formalities were completed, Fotedar’s body would be flown in to Delhi on Wednesday. “The procedure is taking some time because both Indian and Australian embassies are involved. We expect them to reach by tomorrow morning,” he said.

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