First French Himalayas flood victim identified

Authorities have identified a French national killed in flash floods in northern India, France's Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday. The victim is believed to be one of three French climbers missing in the mountainous region of Ladakh since 8 August.

Reuters/Yawar Nazir

The victim's name has not been released, at the family's request.

The body will be flown back to France shortly, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Bernard Valero.

"A second body has been found and is in the process of being identified, and they're still looking for the third," Valero said.

The three climbers were trekking near the village of Sumda Chenmo when they were cut off by a river which had spilled its banks.

One of them, experienced mountain guide Henri Augareils of Aix-les-Bains in south-east France, has already been declared dead by the Indian authorities.

A total of 544 French nationals have been been evacuated from the region since flooding hit on 8 August.

"We continue to advise French citizens against travelling to Ladakh or Zanskar, by plane or any other means," said Valero.