The bodies of the 10 cordyceps collectors were airlifted to Gasa this morning. Seven women and three men aged 19 to 46 years died when a landslide washed away their temporary camps at Ri-Drupzhi near Tshari-Jathang in Laya Gewog. Among them, three were couples who had young children awaiting their return. They were collecting cordyceps since May 17.
Our reporter Changa Dorji met with one of the collectors over a phone call.
“Before the landslide that night, we experienced unusual lightning and thunder. Thereafter, we heard sounds of landslide. Some started running out of tents. But some of them could not get up from their bed,” said Phurba Tshering one of the collectors who escaped unhurt.
He added, “We come here to collect cordyceps once in every five years. We camp in the same location every time but we did not face such an incident in the past. So, we are still in shock.”
The Gasa Dzongkhag Administration will conduct the funeral rites of the victims on Monday. Meanwhile, five collectors who were injured and evacuated to the national referral hospital are all in stable condition.
Changa Dorji, Gasa
