Avalanche at Himlung Himal Base Camp Claims Two Lives, Leaves Ten Missing

LONDON — A deadly avalanche struck the Himlung Himal base camp near the Tibet border on 26 September 2026, killing two climbers and leaving ten others missing, Nepal’s National Disaster Management Authority said. The incident occurred in the Dolpa district, a remote high‑altitude region that hosts a small number of trekking and mountaineering expeditions each year.

Immediate Aftermath

Search and rescue teams from the Nepalese Army and the Department of Civil Defence began operations in the early hours of 27 September. According to a press release issued by the National Disaster Management Authority, two bodies were recovered from a 200‑meter snow slide that had engulfed the camp’s main tent. The bodies were identified as a 34‑year‑old Nepalese climber and a 28‑year‑old German mountaineer, both members of a private expedition group that had been attempting to summit Himlung Himal.

Ten other members of the team were reported missing. The authorities have not yet confirmed the status of the missing climbers, but said that the harsh weather conditions and the remote location have hampered rescue efforts. The search operation was temporarily suspended on 28 September due to a sudden drop in temperature and a steep rise in wind speed, which made the terrain unsafe for further ground operations.

Location and Conditions

The avalanche took place on the western slope of Himlung Himal, a 6,000‑meter peak that lies close to the Nepal–Tibet border. The base camp, situated at an altitude of 4,800 meters, is typically used as a staging point for climbers attempting the summit. The region is known for its unpredictable weather and frequent snowfall, which can trigger sudden avalanches during the monsoon season.

According to the Nepal Meteorological Department, the area had received a heavy snowfall of 30 centimeters in the 24 hours preceding the incident. The Department’s weather bulletin, issued on 26 September, warned of “high avalanche risk” in the Dolpa district due to the rapid accumulation of snow and unstable layers in the slope.

International Response

The German Embassy in Kathmandu issued a statement expressing condolences to the families of the deceased and urging the Nepalese authorities to expedite the search for the missing climbers. The statement also highlighted the need for better safety protocols for foreign expeditions in the region.

The International Mountaineering Federation (IMF) released a brief note acknowledging the incident and calling for a review of safety measures at high‑altitude camps in Nepal. The note was issued by the federation’s spokesperson, who said that “the safety of climbers in remote Himalayan regions remains a priority for the international community.”

Historical Context

Himlung Himal has a history of avalanches. In 2018, a separate snow slide claimed the lives of three climbers from a Japanese expedition. The Nepalese government has since increased its monitoring of avalanche-prone slopes in the Dolpa district, but the region’s remoteness continues to pose logistical challenges for rescue operations.

In 2024, the government announced a new “Avalanche Early Warning System” for the western Himalayas, which includes satellite monitoring and on‑site sensors. However, the system’s coverage does not yet extend to the Himlung Himal ridge, according to a report by the Ministry of Tourism and Civil Aviation.

Future Precautions

The National Disaster Management Authority has called for a review of the safety protocols for expeditions in the Dolpa district. The authority also urged foreign mountaineering clubs to coordinate with local authorities before embarking on high‑altitude climbs in the region.

Meanwhile, the Nepalese Army has pledged to deploy additional search teams and to use aerial drones to survey the affected area. The army’s spokesperson said that the operation would continue until all missing climbers are accounted for or until the weather permits safe ground operations.

Impact on Tourism

The incident has raised concerns among trekking operators in the region. Several tour operators have temporarily suspended expeditions to Himlung Himal, citing safety concerns. The Nepal Tourism Board has issued a travel advisory for the Dolpa district, recommending that climbers and trekkers avoid the area until further notice.

Despite the tragedy, the Nepalese government has emphasized that the country’s mountaineering sector remains resilient. The government’s tourism ministry has stated that it will work with international partners to improve safety standards and to ensure that future expeditions can operate in a safer environment.