Two Dead, 14 Missing After Avalanche Hits Nepal’s Himlung Peak

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Kathmandu: An avalanche crashed the base camp of Himlung Himal in Nepal's Manang district on Sunday, killing two climbing guides and leaving 14 kitchen and support staff missing, according to the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA).

The avalanche struck the 7,126-meter Himlung Himal in the Nar Phu region after continuous rain and heavy snowfall in Nepal's mountainous highlands. The affected team was preparing the base camp for the arrival of foreign climbers.

The NNMGA stated that 16 persons were first reported missing, including 14 kitchen personnel and two climbing guides. The two guides were later discovered dead, as search teams resumed their efforts to locate the remaining 14 individuals.

A search-and-rescue team commanded by mountain guide Mingma G Sherpa arrived at the avalanche site through helicopter and began investigations. Additional rescue workers remained on alert in Kathmandu while authorities assessed the situation.

Poor weather and unreliable communication in the remote high-altitude location have impeded rescue attempts. Officials stated that helicopters were being employed as weather permitted.

The tragedy occurred amid many days of terrible weather in Nepal, with heavy rain and snowfall affecting activities in other mountain locations.

Early reports indicated varied counts for those missing as police sought to contact personnel at the isolated base camp. According to the most recent NNMGA bulletin cited by The Himalayan Times, the number of missing persons remains at 14.