In brief
A sheet of snow struck the base camp of Himlung Himal in Nepal, killing two climbers and leaving about a dozen missing. The avalanche took place on Sunday morning in the Manang district, a hot spot for mountaineers. Rescue crews from Kathmandu arrived by helicopter, but poor weather and deep snow have hampered efforts to find the rest of the group. The tragedy adds to a string of deadly storms across Asia this week, underscoring rising climate volatility.
An abrupt slab of snow crashed into the base camp of Himlung Himal in Nepal’s Manang district on Sunday morning, turning a routine alpine preparation zone into a disaster site. Two bodies were recovered by search teams, while roughly a dozen climbers and support staff remain missing.
The climbing party, composed of Nepali nationals working ahead of foreign expeditions, had begun securing routes and fixing ropes when the avalanche occurred. Heavy snowfall in recent days had blanketed the 7,126‑metre peak, creating precarious conditions.
Rescue helicopters from Kathmandu could not initially reach the camp due to densely packed snow and blizzarding weather, delaying vital assistance. A seasoned mountaineering team was flown in, but the operation is expected to stretch into Monday as conditions remain treacherous.
This incident follows a series of extreme weather events across Asia—including a flood crisis in Bangkok and a deadly typhoon in Tokyo—highlighting continuing climate volatility.
While the bodies have been recovered, authorities are working to locate the missing members. Nepal’s tourism‑heavy climbing industry closely watches the fallout, as any downturn could ripple into the local economy.
Image Caption: The avalanche struck Himlung Himal, a mountain popular with overseas climbers.
