Bengaluru, Karnataka, June 6 (HBTV): The death toll in the Uttarakhand trekking tragedy has increased to nine. The trekkers were reportedly from Maharashtra and Karnataka. The state government is in touch with the rescue operations team, and the families of the deceased have been informed of the tragedy. 

On May 27, a team of 22 members went on a 35-km long trek from Uttarkashi. A trekking company called Himalayan View Trekking Agency is understood to have taken them on the trip. However, while on their way back to the base camp the weather conditions at high altitude turned severe trapping the trekkers. 18 trekkers were from Karnataka and one from Maharashtra. There were three local guides, updates said. 

Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed Revenue Minister Krishna Byre Gowda to monitor the rescue operations. The latter went to Dehradun to coordinate with the officials there.  

According to Gowda, emergency rescue operations started on Tuesday evening with the help of locally available helicopters.            

An Indian Air Force helicopter also reached Uttarkashi at 9 am on Wednesday to rescue the trekkers. A disaster management and response team was reportedly on way toward the camp, updates at press time stated. 

(ANI) This is a syndicated news feed. HBTV has edited it for clarity.