IFMGA guide Narendra Shahi told The Himalayan Times: "Locals of the area were very instrumental in the search efforts as they were the ones to figure out the wreckage site."

"After the arrival of the rescue helicopter, the search and rescue team including an army personnel moved to the wreckage site which lies at an altitude of 4100 metres," he said, adding, "15 bodies were located initially of which 7-8 were recovered first and taken to a relatively plain area some 60-70 metres above the site."

There were lots of technicalities involved as the wreckage site lies at a vertical section of the mountain, which is as it sounds, a difficult terrain, he elaborated.

The plane flown by Captain Prabhakar Ghimire was carrying 22 persons including three crew members and 19 passengers.