Four bodies were recovered after an avalanche struck a Nepalese climbing party on Himlung Himal, while twelve support staff remain unaccounted for.

Rescue teams comb the mountain

Rescuers from the Nepalese army and local NGOs have been searching the north face of the 7,462‑metre peak since early Tuesday, working through the night in freezing conditions.

The group, made up of foreign climbers and Nepalese cook staff who were preparing base camp, was caught as a slab of snow gave way during a pre‑ascent trek, according to the BBC.

Villagers from Pheriche have gathered at the foothills, watching helicopters circle the ridge as rescuers sift through the debris, where personal items such as a weathered climbing rope have been recovered.

The Nepalese Army’s Mountain Warfare Division deployed two helicopters and a specialised search unit, while the Ministry of Tourism issued a statement urging all expeditions to reassess safety protocols this season.

Wider implications for Himalayan trekking

Himlung Himal, part of the Ganesh Himal range, attracts a growing number of commercial climbs each spring. Avalanches are a recognised risk; in 2020, Nepal recorded 27 fatalities across its high‑altitude routes, according to government data.

Search for the twelve missing Nepalese staff, last seen near the base camp at around 4,800 metres, will continue through the week, weather permitting, officials said.