At least ten Nepali climbers who had been preparing to lead an expedition are missing after an avalanche struck a base camp near Himlung Himal (7,126 m) in Manang District on Sunday. Heavy snowfall and poor weather have prevented helicopters and ground teams from reaching the site. Officials say eight climbers were from one expedition and two from another. The incident comes amid recent regional avalanche incidents and a separate catastrophic glacial collapse that left many dead and thousands missing earlier this year.
Ten Nepali Climbers Missing After Avalanche Strikes Himlung Himal Base Camp
The avalanche struck Himlung Himal, a mountain popular with overseas climbers [Getty Images]
At least ten Nepali climbers who were preparing to lead an expedition are missing after an avalanche swept through a base camp near the Himlung Himal peak in Nepal on Sunday.
What Happened
Organisers said local guides were stationed at a staging point close to the 7,126 metre (23,380 ft) Himlung Himal in Manang District when the avalanche struck on Sunday morning. Heavy snowfall in recent days around the peak increased avalanche risk.
Bibhuti Chand Thakur of Himalaya Holidays Trekking told AFP: "Eight members of our expedition team and two more from another company have been reported missing."
Rescue Efforts Hampered by Weather
Persistent poor weather and heavy snow have prevented helicopters and ground teams from reaching the site, severely limiting search-and-rescue operations. The missing climbers had been sent ahead of foreign clients to prepare camps, secure routes and fix ropes.
Regional Context
The incident follows recent avalanche threats that forced climbers to abandon Mount Manaslu earlier this week. Less than two months ago, six climbers died on Broad Peak in Pakistan, among them renowned British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja.
Recovery operations continue along the Nepal–Tibet border after a glacial collapse in August sent large volumes of water and debris down the Trishuli River valley. Authorities have confirmed more than 1,400 deaths and say thousands remain missing after the disaster, compounding strain on local rescue resources.
Impact and Outlook
Nepal's mountain districts have seen persistent rain and snowfall, creating treacherous conditions for the country's vital climbing tourism industry. Climbing companies and authorities face difficult decisions as they balance the economic importance of mountaineering with growing safety concerns. Rescue teams and organisers say search efforts will continue as soon as weather allows.
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