Avalanche Kills 15 Nepali Workers Preparing a Himalayan Camp

At least 15 Nepali workers have died after an avalanche buried a mountain camp they were preparing for foreign climbers on Himlung Himal in central Nepal.

The avalanche struck the base camp on the 7,126-metre mountain in Manang district over the weekend. The workers were preparing tents and fixing ropes when the snow swept through the camp.

Rescuers Recover 15 Bodies

Rescue teams recovered eight bodies from beneath the snow on Thursday, adding to seven bodies that had been recovered earlier in the week.

One worker remained missing, although rescue officials said the chances of finding the person alive were very low. The recovered bodies were expected to be transported by helicopter to Kathmandu.

Foreign Climbers Had Not Yet Arrived

The workers were preparing the mountain camp before the arrival of foreign climbers. No foreign climbers were at the base camp when the avalanche occurred.

Himlung Himal is a popular destination for mountaineers, and local workers provide essential support by carrying equipment, preparing camps and helping climbers during expeditions.

A Dangerous Time for Mountain Workers

The accident is the deadliest incident of Nepal’s autumn climbing season so far this year.

Thousands of visitors travel to Nepal each year to climb or explore the country’s mountains. The tourism industry provides employment for guides, porters and other workers who operate in difficult and sometimes dangerous environments.

Weather Conditions Add to the Risk

Mountain workers face risks from avalanches, falling rocks, extreme cold and rapidly changing weather conditions.

Rescue officials have also warned that changing conditions in the Himalayas can make mountain work increasingly difficult, particularly as melting glaciers and unstable snow and ice affect high-altitude areas.

Rescue Operation Nears Its End

With most of the victims recovered, officials said the rescue operation was expected to conclude soon.

The tragedy has highlighted the risks faced by the local workers who help make Himalayan climbing expeditions possible, often working at high altitudes before visitors arrive.

Sources

• Reuters — “Avalanche kills 15 Nepali workers preparing Himalayan mountain camp for climbers” — October 1, 2026.
• Nepal National Mountain Guide Association — Information cited by Reuters regarding the recovery operation.