Authorities said they feared at least nine international climbers lost their lives following a huge avalanche in Nepal. Another six climbers were still missing on the slopes. The climbers were Europeans, climbers of other nationalities and guides from Nepal.
The identities of just two bodies have been confirmed. One was a climber from Germany and the other was a guide from Nepal. Authorities have spotted seven bodies on the slopes of Mount Manaslu but have not yet recovered them. The mountain is located in the northern region of Nepal.
Rescue officials said on Saturday the avalanche hit at the base camp near the summit of the mountain. One official said 10 other people survived the tragedy, but that a number of the survivors sustained injuries. Helicopters were transporting the injured to hospitals, as soon as they were rescued.
Officials have not been able to confirm the total number of climbers who were in the base camp when the avalanche occurred. Weather deteriorated on Sunday and rescue personnel had to discontinue their efforts of finding survivors and picking up bodies.
When the avalanche hit, the group was at 22,950 feet preparing to head to the summit that was only 3,800 feet above them.
Each year this part of Nepal is filled with hundreds of climbers from across the globe that arrive to climb one of the many mountains. The Himalayas have eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks including the famed Mount Everest. Manaslu is the eighth highest peak in the world and is considered by many to be one of the most dangerous. A number of deaths have taken place on the slope of Manaslu over recent years.
