An avalanche struck the base camp of the 7,126‑metre Himlung Himal in the Nar Phu area of Manang district on Thursday, taking the death toll to 15 and leaving one person missing.
The disaster unfolded amid continuous rain and snowfall that had already triggered landslides and floods across Nepal's mountain districts. The slide buried the tents of 16 people, including support staff and mountain guides, who had been preparing the route and the camp for the climbing season.
A 14‑member rescue team was deployed to search for the missing workers and guides. Two bodies were recovered each on Sunday and Monday, and three were found on Wednesday, bringing the total to 15.
The President of the Nepal National Mountain Guides Association confirmed the latest recoveries, noting that the missing guide remains unaccounted for. Rescue teams are continuing ground searches, while local authorities have issued a warning for climbers to cancel any planned ascents until the area is declared safe.
The tragedy comes as Nepal re‑emerges from the August flash floods that killed more than 1,450 people and left about 5,000 missing. The government is reviewing its disaster‑management protocols for high‑altitude expeditions.
Officials will convene a meeting next week to discuss updated safety guidelines for trekking companies operating in the Manang district.