At least seven climbers have been confirmed dead and several others remain missing after a devastating avalanche struck a high-altitude region in western Nepal, officials said on Tuesday.
The climbers part of an international expedition attempting to summit Mount Himlung in the Annapurna region were caught in the avalanche on Monday morning, according to the Nepal Tourism Department. Rescue teams, including the Nepalese Army and local guides, have since recovered seven bodies and are continuing search efforts amid treacherous conditions.
“We have retrieved seven bodies from the site so far,” said Bhim Raj Pandey, a senior tourism official in Kathmandu. “The terrain is extremely challenging, and bad weather is complicating the rescue mission.”
The avalanche reportedly hit the climbers’ base camp at around 5,800 meters, burying tents and equipment under thick snow. Early reports suggest that heavy snowfall over the past few days increased the risk of avalanches in the area, which is a popular destination for experienced mountaineers.
Authorities have identified some of the victims as members of a mixed team of Nepali and foreign nationals, though official confirmation of their identities is pending notification of next of kin.
Nepal, home to eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks, has faced several deadly mountaineering incidents in recent years, raising renewed concerns about the safety of climbing routes amid increasingly unpredictable weather conditions linked to climate change.
“This tragedy is a painful reminder of the dangers faced by those who seek adventure in our mountains,” said Ang Tshering Sherpa, a veteran climber and former president of the Nepal Mountaineering Association.
The government has temporarily suspended expeditions in the Himlung area as rescue and recovery operations continue.