Avalanche Kills 15 Nepali Workers at Himlung Himal Base Camp

An avalanche buried a camp at the base of Himlung Himal in central Nepal, killing at least 15 Nepali workers who were preparing the site for the autumn climbing season.

The avalanche struck over the weekend at the mountain’s base camp in Manang district, where workers were pitching tents and fixing ropes for visiting climbers. Himlung Himal rises to 7,126 metres (23,380 feet).

Rescuers recovered 15 bodies, including eight found beneath the snow on Thursday, October 1. One worker remains missing. The Nepal National Mountain Guide Association, which has led the search, said recovery work had been temporarily concluded because of continuing hazards and could resume when conditions allow.

Workers preparing for climbing season

The workers were setting up the camp before foreign climbers arrived. No foreign climbers were at the site when the avalanche hit, according to Reuters.

Nepal attracts climbers from around the world, and local workers support expeditions as guides, porters, cooks and other staff. The Himlung Himal disaster is the deadliest reported incident of Nepal’s autumn climbing season so far.

The early stages of the response were hampered by severe weather and deep snow. Experienced mountain guides continued searching when conditions allowed, but the unstable mountain environment has limited what rescuers can safely do.

One person still missing

Authorities and rescue officials have reported 15 confirmed deaths, with one person still unaccounted for. The association said further recovery work may be possible when conditions improve.

The disaster highlights the risks faced by Nepali workers who prepare high-altitude camps before climbing teams arrive. Such work can involve setting up shelters and routes in remote terrain where sudden changes in weather and snow conditions make rescue difficult.

BBNN will update this report if the search resumes or officials provide further information.