Police in Nepal are investigating the death of a Belgian woman and the disappearance of a British man in the Himalayas, with challenging terrain and monsoon weather hampering efforts. The headless body of Debbie Maveau, 23, was discovered on 14 June on a forest slope below the Gosaikunda trekking trail, more than two weeks after she went missing. Her belongings and money were intact, and post-mortem could not determine cause of death.
British trekker Zisimos Alexander Souflas, 27, has been missing since 23 April, when he left his guesthouse at Namche Bazar, a Sherpa hamlet en route to Everest base camp. Police have searched the area around Imja glacial lake at 5,010 metres, but snowy and frozen conditions made the search risky, with one officer suffering altitude sickness.
Local police face significant obstacles, including landslides, floods, and wild animals. They lack adequate mountain gear and search equipment. The Trekking Agencies' Association of Nepal (TAAN) says trekking is safe if proper measures are taken, such as hiring guides and registering with the Trekkers' Information Management System (TIMS).
The UK Foreign Office warns against trekking alone, noting incidents of robbery and rape on trekking routes. Since 2003, four British nationals and eight other foreign nationals have been reported missing while trekking alone. Police remain alert but acknowledge the investigation is progressing slowly due to continuous rain, fog, and hazardous trails.
