Nepal avalanche kills at least 15 expedition workers

A Himalayan avalanche claimed at least 15 lives among expedition workers as rescuers continued their efforts to retrieve bodies from the scene. On Sunday, eight more bodies were recovered from the base camp of the 7,126-metre Himlung peak, marking one of the worst mountain disasters in recent years. Nepali workers were busy setting up tents and installing ropes for upcoming expeditions on the mountain, which sits near the Chinese border.

As of now, a total of 15 bodies have been recovered, according to Tul Singh Gurung, president of the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association. He informed Reuters that the remaining missing worker is unlikely to be found, and the rescue operation is expected to conclude soon. It is worth noting that foreign climbers were not present at the site during the avalanche.

A team of eleven rescuers, comprising experienced guides, was on the ground, sifting through over four metres of snow that had buried the tents at the base camp. Two mountain guides were recovered on Sunday, two kitchen staff members on Monday, followed by three more bodies on Tuesday. Nepal has witnessed its most severe mountaineering disasters in recent years in 2014, when an avalanche struck Everest, killing 16 people, and in 2015, an earthquake claimed 18 lives on the same mountain.

Authorities are still actively searching for bodies following devastating floods triggered by a mountain glacial collapse on August 26, which resulted in over 1,400 deaths and left more than 5,000 people missing. Recent heavy rain has led to additional floods and landslides, causing at least 21 additional fatalities, as reported by the national disaster agency.

Situated close to eight of the world's 14 highest peaks, Nepal's economy heavily depends on mountaineering and trekking tourism. Himlung, where the tragic avalanche occurred, is a favored destination for mountaineers aiming to commence their ascent of 7,000-metre peaks.