Nepal Avalanche Kills 15 Expedition Workers at Himlung Base Camp

At least 15 expedition workers have been killed after an avalanche struck the base camp of Himlung Himal in central Nepal.

The avalanche hit the 7,126-metre (23,345-foot) mountain early Sunday, burying tents and workers who were preparing the camp for upcoming climbing expeditions.

According to Tul Singh Gurung, president of the Nepal National Mountain Guide Association, rescuers recovered eight additional bodies on Thursday, bringing the confirmed death toll to 15. One worker remains missing, although officials said the chances of finding the person alive are very slim.

The workers were reportedly pitching tents and fixing ropes for later expeditions when the avalanche struck. Eleven rescuers, including experienced mountain guides, were involved in the search, digging through more than four metres (14 feet) of snow.

The bodies of two mountain guides were recovered on Sunday, while two kitchen workers were found on Monday and another three bodies were recovered on Tuesday.

Foreign climbers had not yet reached the base camp when the avalanche occurred.

The disaster is among Nepal's deadliest recent mountaineering incidents. In 2014, an avalanche killed 16 people on Mount Everest, while an earthquake in 2015 killed 18 people on the mountain.

Nepal has also been dealing with severe flooding and landslides. Authorities are continuing to search for victims of floods caused by a glacial collapse on August 26, which killed more than 1,400 people and left more than 5,000 missing. Further heavy rains have triggered additional floods and landslides, killing at least 21 people, according to the country's disaster management authorities.

Nepal is home to eight of the world's 14 highest mountains, making mountaineering and trekking a major part of its tourism industry.

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