At least 15 Nepali workers have been killed after an avalanche buried a mountain camp they were preparing for foreign climbers in central Nepal.
The avalanche struck the base camp of Himlung Himal in northern Manang district over the weekend. The mountain stands 7,126 metres above sea level.
The workers were preparing the camp ahead of the autumn climbing season. They were pitching tents and fixing ropes when the avalanche swept through the area.
Rescuers have recovered 15 bodies from beneath the snow. Eight bodies were recovered on Thursday, while seven others were retrieved earlier in the week.
Tul Singh Gurung, president of the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association, confirmed the latest recovery efforts. He said the eight bodies recovered Thursday were expected to be transported by helicopter to Kathmandu.
One worker remains missing. Gurung said the chances of finding the missing worker alive were low and indicated that the rescue operation could soon end.
Foreign climbers had not yet reached the mountain camp when the avalanche occurred. The incident therefore primarily affected the Nepali workers preparing the site.
The tragedy is the deadliest reported incident of Nepal’s autumn climbing season, which ends later this month.
Nepal attracts thousands of visitors each year who travel to explore or climb its Himalayan peaks. The mountain tourism industry provides employment to thousands of guides, porters and other workers.
However, working in high-altitude areas carries significant risks. Mountain workers face avalanches, extreme weather, difficult terrain and rapidly changing conditions.
The incident has also highlighted concerns over increasing risks in the Himalayas. Climate change is accelerating the melting of glaciers and ice, potentially contributing to more dangerous conditions for people working and travelling in mountainous areas.
The recovery operation is expected to conclude after authorities complete efforts to locate the remaining missing worker.
