Two dead and 14 missing after avalanche hits popular peak in Himalayas

The avalanche that slammed into the base camp of Himlung Himal on Sunday morning has left two bodies recovered and 14 people missing, according to the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association. The incident, which unfolded amid a series of heavy rains and snow that have already disrupted roads and trekking routes across the country, underscores the growing risk of natural disasters in the Himalayan region.

What Happened?

At roughly 06:00 local time on Sunday, a sheet of snow surged across the base camp of Himlung Himal, a 7,126‑metre peak in the Manang district. The avalanche buried a climbing group that had been preparing the site for foreign climbers. The group comprised Nepalese guides and kitchen staff from two different companies, with 14 of them missing and two bodies recovered by the time rescuers reached the site.

Media additions

The National Mountain Guide Association (NNMGA) posted a statement on Facebook, confirming that the two recovered bodies were those of climbing guides who had been working for the Kathmandu‑based Imagine Nepal and Himalayan Holidays Nepal agencies. The missing list, according to the association’s president Tul Singh Gurung, included 14 kitchen staff and two guides.

Police officer Inspector Binod Bohara, in the Manang district, said his office had received a list of 22 people who were at the base camp when the avalanche struck. He added that many of the missing were feared buried under fresh snow.

Rescue teams, dispatched from Kathmandu by helicopter, faced heavy snow and poor weather that initially prevented them from reaching the site. The National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Authority (NDRRMA) posted on X that two bodies were recovered, while at least 10 people were still missing.

Rescue Efforts and Challenges

Helicopters and rescue teams were delayed by the same heavy snowfall that had already forced climbers to retreat from the autumn ascent of other peaks. The Broad Peak avalanche this summer, which claimed 10 climbers, highlighted how quickly weather can turn a rescue into a logistical nightmare.

In the immediate aftermath, APF Nepal officials noted that the avalanche at Himlung Himal was part of a broader pattern of dangerous conditions across the Himalayan circuit. They warned that the region’s weather system, influenced by the Bay of Bengal, was delivering heavy snowfall to the mountains and persistent rainfall to the plains.

Local authorities have urged trekkers and climbers to suspend activities. The Department of Tourism issued an alert advising that tourism activities be put on hold, a measure mirrored by the Business Standard report that highlighted the impact on the climbing tourism industry.

Other Avalanches in the Region

While the Himlung Himal incident has captured immediate attention, Nepal has experienced several other avalanches in recent months. The Yalung Ri avalanche in the Rolwaling Valley, for instance, swept seven climbers to their deaths in November 2025. Nine months later, locals discovered the bodies of five climbers who had been missing since that event. The recovered bodies were identified and will be repatriated.

Similarly, the Broad Peak avalanche in Pakistan on 30 July 2026 resulted in the deaths of 10 climbers, including the world‑record holder Nirmal Purja. The rescue operation, led by Sona Sherpa, took weeks and involved helicopters, drones and extensive ground searches. The incident remains a stark reminder of the risks that mountaineering teams face in the Karakoram and Himalayan ranges.

Table: Avalanche Incidents – Summary of Outcomes

Timeline of the Himlung Himal Avalanche

• Sunday, 06:00 – Avalanche strikes base camp, burying a Nepalese climbing group.
• Sunday, 07:00 – NNMGA releases initial statement; two bodies recovered.
• Sunday, 10:00 – Police and expedition organisers confirm 14 missing; helicopter rescue teams dispatched.
• Sunday, 13:00 – Heavy snowfall delays helicopter arrival; ground search teams begin.
• Sunday, 18:00 – NDRRMA posts on X confirming two bodies recovered, 10 missing.
• Monday, 08:00 – Weather clears; helicopter lands with rescue crew.
• Monday, 10:00 – Search continues; no additional bodies found.

What to Watch Next

Rescue teams are expected to resume a systematic search on Monday once weather conditions improve. The Department of Tourism has urged climbers to stay away from high‑altitude peaks until the risk of avalanches subsides. Authorities are also monitoring the situation closely, given that the region has recently faced floods that killed 1,450 people and left more than 5,500 missing.

In the coming days, the Nepalese government will decide whether to lift the current ban on climbing activities in the Manang district. The fate of the missing 14 climbers will remain the focus of national attention, as families await updates from rescuers on the ground.

Meanwhile, the broader Himalayan community watches closely. Recent avalanches at Yalung Ri and Broad Peak have shown that even experienced climbers and professional guides can fall victim to sudden weather shifts. The international mountaineering community is calling for stricter pre‑expedition weather monitoring and faster deployment of rescue resources in remote high‑altitude camps.