In brief
An avalanche struck the base camp near Himlung Himal in Nepal’s Manang district on Sunday morning, leaving at least ten Nepali climbers missing. The local guides were staging the site when the snow collapsed, and heavy recent snowfall had intensified the risk. Rescue teams struggled to reach the site because of bad weather and blocked routes, hampering helicopter flights. The incident adds to a spate of accidents this year, with other Himalayan peaks experiencing increased avalanche threats and a broader climate‑related disruption to the region’s vital tourism economy.
A sudden avalanche near Himlung Himal’s base camp in Nepal’s Manang district has left at least ten local climbers missing. The incident occurred on Sunday morning when a large slab of snow slid down the slopes, sweeping away a staging crew that was preparing the site for an upcoming expedition.
Forecasts had warned of heavy snowfall in the area in recent days, and the mountain’s 7,126‑metre height makes it a frequent destination for mountaineers from around the world. The impending avalanche risk had already forced international climbing teams to abandon their push on nearby Mount Manaslu earlier this week.
Rescue efforts have been hampered by deteriorating weather conditions. Helicopters have been unable to reach the camp, and ground teams face treacherous, unstable terrain. The tragedy comes less than two months after a separate incident on Pakistan’s Broad Peak claimed six lives, including that of renowned British‑Neapolitan climber Nirmal Purja.
These repeated events underline the mounting challenges that Nepal’s mountain tourism sector faces as climate change intensifies snowfall and precipitation patterns. Local authorities, tour operators, and international bodies are urged to review safety protocols and enhance early warning systems for the region’s popular peaks.
