KATHMANDU (TIP): Nepal has banned two Indian climbers and their team leader from carrying out any mountaineering expeditions in the country for six years after a probe found that they faked their Mt Everest summit in 2016. Indian mountaineers Narender Singh Yadav and Seema Rani Goswami received expedition certificates from the Tourism Department during the spring season of 2016 without successfully climbing the world’s highest mountain. Both the climbers received the certificates of climbing the 8,848.86m (29,032 ft) mountain by producing fake documents and pictures to claim their summit, according to a press release issued by the Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Civil Aviation on Thursday. Their certificates have been revoked, the ministry said. After receiving a complaint about the fake ascent, the ministry had formed a committee to investigate the matter. The investigation has confirmed that both of them had obtained certificates by giving false details, it said. They have been banned from ascending any mountain in Nepal for six years. The ban will be effective starting May 20, 2016, it said.

Their Indian team leader Naba Kumar Phukon, who led the expedition, has also been banned for six years starting May 20, 2016.

In New Delhi, Sports Ministry sources said that Yadav, who was recommended for the Tenzing Norgay Award last year, will not be bestowed with the honour. “Narender Singh Yadav issue is over from our side. The inquiry initiated by the ministry found that he faked about climbing Mount Everest. He submitted fake pictures,” said a sports ministry official.

Yadav was initially recommended for India’s highest adventure sports award but his name was withheld after media reports emerged of the possibility of him submitting fake documents. (TOI)

Under-Construction Bridge Collapses in Bhutan, Three Indian Workers Killed at Site

Thimphu (TIP): At least three Indian workers were killed and six other workers were missing after an under-construction bridge collapsed in Bhutan. As per a Reuters report, rescuers recovered three bodies from the site of Wangchu bridge 60 km (37 miles) south west of the capital Thimphu.

“The partially constructed bridge collapsed on Tuesday and we are still looking for missing workers,” said Lendup, a police officer overseeing the rescue operations.

“Saying prayers for the lives lost and hoping we find all missing persons safe and sound,” Prime Minister Lotay Tshering said in a twitter post.

The nationality of those missing was not immediately clear. The bridge was aimed at linking Haa district with Paro, where the Himalayan country’s international airport is located.