15 Nepali expedition support workers and mountain workers have died after an avalanche struck the base camp of Mt. Himlung in Narpa Bhumi Rural Municipality–5, Manang, while one person remains missing.
The avalanche occurred on September 27, 2026, as a Nepali expedition support team was preparing the base camp, managing the climbing route and fixing ropes for the autumn climbing season. At the time of the incident, foreign climbers had not yet arrived at the base camp. Mt. Himlung located at 7,126 metres and is one of Nepal’s prominent high-altitude expedition peaks.
Following the avalanche, search and rescue operations were launched under challenging weather and difficult terrain. By October 1, the bodies of 15 of the 16 missing Nepali expedition support workers had been recovered, while the search for one missing worker continues.
16 Missing, 15 Bodies Recovered
In the immediate aftermath of the avalanche, different figures regarding the number of missing people were reported. Initial reports indicated that 10 people were missing. As search operations progressed, authorities confirmed that 16 Nepali expedition support workers including 14 kitchen staff and two Nepalese mountain guides were missing.
According to the latest available information, 15 of the 16 missing workers have been found dead, while Pasang Nuri Sherpa of Okhaldhunga remains missing.
Rescuers have reportedly located his tent and bedding at the site. The search operation is continuing as long as weather and safety conditions permit.
Eight Bodies Recovered on October 1
Search and rescue teams recovered eight bodies on October 1 alone.
Four bodies were recovered in the morning and another four in the afternoon. According to Krishna Prasad Poudel, Assistant Chief District Officer of Manang, two of the recovered bodies were transported toward Chame, while six were taken toward Phu village.
As darkness prevented helicopter operations, arrangements were being made to manage and transport the remaining bodies the following day.
Prior to October 1, rescuers had recovered four bodies during the initial search and another three on September 30. The recovery of eight additional bodies on October 1 brought the confirmed death toll to 15.
Search and Rescue Led by Experienced Nepali Mountain Personnel
An 11-member search and rescue team has been mobilized following the avalanche. The team includes experienced Nepali mountain guides, local rescuers and residents from the Manang area.
The rescue operation has been particularly challenging because of deep snow, difficult terrain and adverse weather conditions. Rescuers have been clearing compacted snow and searching around buried camps and tents in an effort to locate the missing worker.
The possibility of further snow movement and unstable conditions in the high-altitude environment has also required rescuers to proceed with extreme caution.
Disaster Struck During Base Camp Preparation
The Nepali expedition team had reached Himlung Base Camp ahead of the foreign climbers to prepare for the autumn climbing season.
The workers were involved in base camp construction, route preparation, rope fixing and other logistical and technical operations required before the arrival of expedition members.
Because foreign climbers had not yet reached the base camp when the avalanche occurred, all those affected were Nepali personnel involved in expedition preparation and support operations.
Nepali mountain guides, high-altitude workers, kitchen staff and other expedition support personnel play a crucial role in preparing climbing routes and establishing the infrastructure required for mountaineering expeditions in the Himalayas.
Renewed Concerns Over Weather and High-Mountain Risks
The Himlung avalanche has emerged as one of the most serious mountain accidents of Nepal’s 2026 autumn climbing season.
The incident has once again raised concerns about the safety of Nepali workers operating in high-altitude environments, as well as the need for effective avalanche risk assessment, weather monitoring, early warning systems and emergency preparedness.
Changes in Himalayan temperatures, glaciers and snow conditions have also prompted broader discussion about climate-related risks in mountain regions. However, no detailed scientific assessment has yet been made public establishing the direct cause of this particular avalanche at Himlung. Further scientific investigation is therefore necessary before linking the incident directly to climate change.
Safety of Nepali Mountain Workers in Focus
The Himlung tragedy has brought renewed attention to the safety of Nepali mountain workers who reach high-altitude areas before foreign climbers arrive to establish camps, prepare climbing routes, fix ropes and manage other essential expedition infrastructure.
These workers are often exposed to some of the most hazardous conditions during the earliest stages of an expedition. Avalanches, heavy snowfall, unstable snowpack and sudden changes in weather can pose significant risks.
The incident highlights the importance of advance weather information, avalanche-risk assessment, careful selection of camp locations, appropriate timing of high-altitude work, emergency preparedness and effective search and rescue capacity.
Beyond the loss of life, the Himlung disaster underscores the critical contribution of Nepali mountain workers whose efforts behind the scenes make many Himalayan expeditions possible. Their safety remains an essential part of responsible and sustainable mountaineering in Nepal.
Roofline Journal, Mountain & Adventure Desk Update
Incident: Himlung Base Camp Avalanche
Location: Narpa Bhumi Rural Municipality–5, Manang, Nepal
Mountain: Mt. Himlung
Elevation: 7,126 metres
Date of Incident: September 27, 2026
Nepali expedition support workers affected: 16
Bodies recovered: 15
Still missing: 1
Search and rescue operation: Ongoing
Latest update: October 1, 2026
Timeline of the Search and Rescue Operation:
September 27: An avalanche struck Himlung Base Camp. The rescue team reported that the incident occurred following heavy snowfall and continuous rainfall. Sixteen Nepali expedition support workers were confirmed missing.
September 28–29: Search and rescue operations began. Four bodies were recovered during the initial phase of the operation.
September 30: Three additional bodies were recovered, bringing the confirmed death toll to seven.
October 1: Eight more bodies were recovered in a single day, bringing the total number of recovered bodies to 15. One Nepali worker, Pasang Nuri Sherpa of Okhaldhunga, remains missing. The search operation continues.
