Avalanche hits Himlung base camp in Nepal

At least four people have been killed and at least 14 are missing after an avalanche struck the base camp of Himlung, a Himalayan peak in Nepal's Manang district.

The avalanche hit on Sunday 27 September. Ten people were rescued.

Workers preparing for the season

The four people killed were all Nepali nationals. They were guides and support staff who had been preparing the base camp and the climbing route ahead of the autumn mountaineering season, fixing ropes and putting up tents before the arrival of foreign climbers.

Rescue hampered

Rescue helicopters were sent to the site, but efforts were hampered by continuous rain and snowfall across Nepal's mountain districts. The same weather system has caused deadly floods and landslides in lower parts of Nepal and in northern India.

About Himlung

Himlung Himal, at a little over 7,100 metres, stands close to Nepal's border with Tibet. It has become a popular peak for commercial expeditions, particularly for climbers preparing for attempts on the world's 8,000-metre mountains.

The risks for mountain workers

Nepal's mountaineering industry depends heavily on local guides and support staff, many of them Sherpas, who carry loads, fix ropes and set up camps. They often face the greatest risks, spending far longer on the mountains than the climbers they support.

The autumn season, which follows the monsoon, is one of the two main climbing seasons in Nepal. Late-season storms can bring heavy snow, raising the risk of avalanches on slopes loaded with fresh snow.

A difficult year

The avalanche adds to a difficult period for Nepal, which has been hit by floods and landslides that have killed 21 people in the past few days. Authorities have urged caution in the mountains until the weather improves.

Autumn climbing season

Autumn is one of Nepal's two main climbing seasons, along with spring, when the weather is usually more settled. Thousands of climbers and trekkers visit each year, and their spending is an important part of Nepal's economy.