Rescue teams continue recovery operations amid harsh weather after an avalanche at Himlung Himal Base Camp left 16 people missing.
Rescue efforts at the Himlung Himal Base Camp in Manang, Nepal, are ongoing following a devastating avalanche on September 27. By October 1, a total of 15 bodies have been recovered from the disaster site, with one person still reported missing. The Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA) coordinated the intensive search and recovery operation, working alongside Himalayan Holidays Nepal, Seven Summit Treks, and local guides. Four bodies were recovered on October 1 alone, while previously, four and three bodies were recovered in the days following the avalanche.
The avalanche struck after heavy snowfall and continuous rain, initially leaving 16 individuals unaccounted for, including two climbing guides and 14 kitchen staff. The rescue team, led by IFMGA mountain guides Pasang Kaji Sherpa and Bikram Karki, consists of 11 members including experienced mountain guides and local personnel. Despite extremely challenging and hazardous weather and terrain conditions, the operation is continuing with utmost priority given to rescuer safety.
The NNMGA has indicated that further verified details, including victim information, will be released as they become available. This tragic event highlights the risks faced by mountaineering staff and guides in high-altitude regions of Nepal, a country where mountain tourism is a significant aspect of development and international engagement.
Sources referenced:
- https://thehimalayantimes.com/nepal/update-himlung-avalanche-death-toll-rises-to-15-one-person-still-missing
