KATHMANDU: Rescuers have recovered the bodies of two Japanese climbers who went missing on Gangapurna, ending a five-day aerial search, according to Mukti Pandey, who mobilised the rescue mission.

"Both bodies were found at around 6,300m on the south side of Gangapurna this morning," Pandey said, citing updates from the aerial search team. The bodies will be airlifted to Kathmandu soon.

The climbers, Hidesuke Taneishi and Tetsu Hashimoto, went missing while attempting the peak on October 15. They had begun an alpine-style expedition with a Nepali guide through Kathmandu-based Cosmo Adventure. Police said contact was lost from around 7,050m, and the guide informed the company on October 16.

The aerial search began on October 19. A team of Altitude Air Senior Captain Sobit Gauchan, IFMGA/NNMGA climber Pasang Rinzee Sherpa and drone pilot Manish Maharjan found no trace around Manang village on October 19, 20 and 21, Altitude Air chairman Nima Nuru Sherpa said. On October 21, the team found the climbers' bags and trekking poles in the Gangapurna Base Camp area in Kaski, and returned to search there.

Rescuers who are recovering bodies at 6,300m said that the duo could have been hit by a slab avalanche.

Cosmo Adventure chairman Vijay Sharma said the search was coordinated with the Japanese Embassy and the climbers' families.