10 Nepali climbers, guides missing after avalanche hits Himlung peak

At least ten Nepali climbers and guides are missing following an avalanche on the base camp of Himlung peak in central Nepal on Sunday morning, according to an expedition organizer. The 7,126-meter tall Himlung peak, situated near the Tibetan border, had experienced several days of heavy snowfall prior to the incident. A search and rescue team, comprising two helicopters, remains on standby but has been unable to initiate operations due to unfavorable weather conditions, as reported by Bibhuti Chand Thakur of Himalaya Holidays Trekking to AFP.

Eight members of the expedition team and two additional individuals from another company have been reported as missing, all of whom are Nepali nationals. Nepal boasts eight of the world's fourteen highest peaks, and foreign climbers constitute a significant source of income for this largely rural nation. Nepal has already granted more than 500 climbing permits for the upcoming autumn season, with the majority directed towards the world's eighth-highest mountain, Manaslu.

Heavy snowfall on Manaslu earlier this week compelled climbers to abandon their expeditions, and trekking activities were also suspended in the Dhaulagiri mountain range. Additionally, Nepal has been grappling with heavy rainfall since Thursday, which has resulted in the collapse of roads and triggered landslides in various regions.