Nepal Avalanche Deaths: Nepal avalanche kills 15 workers at Himlung Himal camp, one still missing

File photo: Rescue workers search for survivors after an avalanche buried the Himlung base camp, Nepal

At least 15 Nepali workers were killed after an avalanche buried a mountain camp they were preparing for foreign climbers in central Nepal, making it the deadliest incident of the country’s autumn climbing season, which ends this month.The avalanche struck the base camp of the 7,126-metre Himlung Himal in the northern Manang district over the weekend, burying workers who were pitching tents and fixing ropes ahead of the arrival of foreign climbers.Rescuers have recovered 15 bodies from the site, including eight retrieved from beneath the snow on Thursday and seven recovered earlier in the week, Tul Singh Gurung, president of the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA), told Reuters.“The bodies that were recovered today are expected to be brought by a helicopter to Kathmandu,” Gurung said.One worker remains missing, although Gurung said the chances of finding the person were dim and the rescue operation was likely to be wound up.

Workers were preparing camp for foreign climbers

The foreign climbers had not yet reached the base camp when the avalanche struck.The camp was being prepared by expedition support staff for a 14-member all-women climbing group from a school in the UAE. The team was expected to arrive in Kathmandu on October 1.14 staff from Himalayan Holidays and two kitchen workers from Imagine Nepal Treks had initially been caught in the avalanche. Earlier reports had put the number of missing people lower before expedition organisers and authorities revised the figure after receiving information from the remote site.The avalanche hit after persistent rain and heavy snowfall in the Himlung Himal area. Rescue efforts were hampered by poor weather and difficult access to the base camp.Two bodies recovered earlier were identified by search team members as climbing guides Pasang Bhote and Chhebi Bhote.

Deadliest incident of autumn climbing season

The Himlung Himal accident is the latest deadly incident involving high-altitude workers and climbers in the Himalayas and Karakoram this year.Nepal attracts thousands of visitors each year to its mountains, supporting tens of thousands of people who work as guides, porters and other expedition staff, as well as in tourism-related jobs.However, the work has become increasingly dangerous as climate change accelerates the melting of glaciers and ice.The avalanche has now become the deadliest incident of Nepal’s autumn climbing season, according to Reuters. Gurung said the recovery operation was expected to conclude after rescuers retrieved the latest eight bodies.The 7,126-metre Himlung Himal lies in the Nar Phu region of Manang district and is among the mountains that attract climbers during Nepal’s autumn expedition season.