Avalanche Hits Nepal’s Himlung Himal Base Camp, 10 Mountaineers and Staff Missing

An avalanche struck Himlung Himal Base Camp in Nepal’s Manang district on Sunday morning, leaving 10 mountaineers and support staff missing.

The incident occurred at the base camp of the 7,126-metre Himlung Himal near the Tibet border. Expedition organisers confirmed that the missing people are associated with different mountaineering companies.

10 People Missing

Expedition Operators Association Nepal Secretary General Rishi Bhandari confirmed the incident. He said two of the missing people are associated with Imagine Nepal Private Limited, while eight are linked to Himalayan Holidays Nepal.

Expedition organiser Mingma Gyalze Sherpa also confirmed that an avalanche hit the area on Sunday morning. Two cooks working with his team are among those reported missing.

Most members of the expedition teams had already descended to safer areas after a weather warning issued last week. However, some people remained behind as heavy snowfall forced mountaineering activities to stop.

Bad Weather Hampers Rescue

Nepal’s Tourism Department Director General Ram Krishna Lamichhane said officials are closely monitoring the situation and gathering further information.

Search and rescue efforts are under way, but difficult weather conditions are making access to the site challenging. Authorities may also require additional permits to operate helicopters in the Himlung Himal area, potentially delaying the rescue operation.

Warning Issued to Mountaineers

Tourism officials have advised trekkers and mountaineers not to proceed towards affected areas until weather conditions improve.

Heavy rain and snowfall have disrupted movement across parts of Nepal, with some roads also affected. The authorities are continuing to assess conditions as they work to establish the whereabouts of the missing people.

Families of those reported missing are awaiting further information as rescue teams assess the situation.