On Sunday morning a sudden sheet of snow swept over the base camp of Himlung Himal, a 7,126‑metre peak in Nepal’s Manang district. The avalanche buried members of a Nepalese climbing team that had been preparing the site for foreign expeditions. Rescue teams, hampered by heavy snowfall and low visibility, have so far recovered two bodies, confirming the first fatalities from the disaster.
What happened
The avalanche struck the camp of a group of Nepalese nationals – climbers, guides and support staff – who were sent ahead of foreign teams to set up infrastructure and fix ropes. Forecasts had warned of heavy snowfall in the area in the days leading up to the incident, and the sudden slide appears to have been triggered by the accumulated snow on the mountain’s slopes.
Rescue operations
Following the avalanche, a rescue team of experienced mountaineers was dispatched from Kathmandu by helicopter. However, thick snow and deteriorating weather conditions limited the ability of helicopters to reach the site, delaying the recovery of the missing climbers. Local media report that the rescue effort will continue on Monday, as teams work through the deep snow to locate the remaining victims.
Scale of the disaster
While two bodies have been recovered, around a dozen individuals are still unaccounted for. Bibhuti Chand Thakur of Himalaya Holidays Trekking told AFP that at least eight members of his expedition team have been reported missing, though the exact number remains unclear. The incident adds to a string of recent high‑altitude tragedies in the region, including recent evacuations on Mount Manaslu due to avalanche risk.
Wider context
The Himalayas have been experiencing persistent rain and snow, creating dangerous conditions for the country’s climbing tourism industry, which is a significant source of income. This avalanche follows other recent natural‑disaster events in the broader region, such as the massive glacial collapse that killed over 1,400 people downstream in the Trishuli River valley and ongoing flood emergencies in neighboring countries.
Looking ahead
Authorities continue to monitor weather patterns, and further rescue missions are planned once conditions improve. The incident underscores the inherent risks of high‑altitude mountaineering, especially as climate‑related weather extremes become more frequent.
Key facts:
- Two bodies recovered after an avalanche on Himlung Himal.
- Approximately twelve people remain missing.
- Rescue teams are delayed by heavy snow and poor visibility.
- The climbing group consisted of Nepalese climbers and support staff preparing the camp.
As rescue efforts continue, families and the climbing community await further news on the missing members of the expedition.