Avalanche Strikes Himalayan Base Camp as Ten Nepali Guides Go Missing

At least ten Nepali climbers preparing to lead an expedition remain missing after an avalanche struck a Himalayan base camp on Sunday.

Organisers reported that local guides were stationed near Himlung Himal peak in Manang district when the avalanche hit Sunday morning.

Heavy snowfall had been forecast around the 7,126-metre (23,380ft) peak, situated on Nepal’s border with Tibet, in recent days.

Rescue operations have been hampered by poor weather, with helicopters and ground teams unable to reach the affected site.

Bibhuti Chand Thakur of Himalaya Holidays Trekking told AFP: “Eight members of our expedition team and two additional guides from another company are missing.”

The Nepali team had been deployed ahead of foreign climbers to prepare the camp, manage the route, and fix ropes on the mountain.

Nepal’s mountain districts have experienced persistent rain and snow, creating hazardous conditions for the climbing tourism industry.

Climbers were evacuated from Mount Manaslu, the world’s eighth-highest peak, earlier this week due to avalanche risks.

This incident follows the deaths of six climbers on Broad Peak in Pakistan less than two months ago, including British-Nepali mountaineer Nirmal Purja.

Extreme weather in India’s Uttar Pradesh region has killed over 50 people, officials reported.

Recovery efforts continue on the Nepal-Tibet border, where more than 6,000 people remain missing after a catastrophic flood and landslide in August.

Over 1,400 people are confirmed dead following a glacial collapse that sent water and debris surging down the Trishuli River valley.

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