Avalanche kills 15 Nepali workers at Himlung Himal

At least 15 Nepali workers have died after an avalanche buried a mountain base camp in central Nepal, where they were preparing facilities for foreign climbers.

The avalanche struck the base camp of Himlung Himal, a 7,126-metre peak in the northern Manang district, over the weekend. The workers were reportedly setting up tents and securing climbing ropes when the avalanche swept through the camp.

Rescue teams have recovered 15 bodies from beneath the snow. Eight bodies were found on Thursday, while seven others had been recovered earlier in the week.

One worker remains missing, although rescuers said the chances of finding the person alive are extremely low. Officials indicated that the search operation could soon be brought to an end.

The recovered bodies are expected to be transported by helicopter to Kathmandu.

Foreign climbers had not yet arrived at the base camp when the avalanche struck, preventing further casualties among the climbing teams.

Nepal attracts thousands of visitors each year who travel to explore or climb its Himalayan peaks. The mountaineering industry also provides employment to thousands of local guides, porters and support workers.

However, increasingly unstable mountain conditions are raising safety concerns. The melting of glaciers and ice linked to climate change is making work in high-altitude areas more dangerous for the people who support climbing expeditions.