Nepal rescuers recover eight bodies after Himalayan avalanche

KATHMANDU: On Thursday, rescuers recovered eight more bodies from a Himalayan avalanche that buried 16 expedition workers, marking one of the worst mountain disasters in recent years. The avalanche struck the base camp of the 7,126-metre Himlung peak early Sunday, as Nepali workers prepared for subsequent expeditions near the Chinese border.

Tul Singh Gurung, president of the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association, stated that eight bodies were found on Thursday, bringing the total to 15 with one person still missing. He expressed optimism that the last person could be recovered as well. A team of eleven rescuers, comprising experienced guides, was deployed to the site, excavating over four metres of snow that had covered tents at the base camp.

Two mountain guides were recovered on Sunday, while two kitchen staff were pulled out on Monday, followed by three more bodies on Tuesday. Nepal has experienced its worst mountaineering disasters in recent years, including a 2014 avalanche on Everest that killed 16 people and an earthquake in 2015 that claimed 18 lives, also on Everest.

Authorities continue to search for bodies following a devastating flood on August 26, triggered by a mountain glacial collapse, which killed over 1,400 people and left more than 5,000 missing. Recent heavy rain has led to additional floods and landslides, resulting in at least 21 deaths, according to the national disaster agency.

Nepal, home to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks, heavily relies on mountaineering and trekking tourism.