Rescue teams found eight bodies at the base camp of Mount Himlung in Nepal on Thursday, bringing the total death toll to 15 following an avalanche triggered by severe weather on Sunday.
The Nepal National Mountain Guide Association, spearheading the search operation, reported that rescuers unearthed eight bodies from snow-covered tents at the base camp, with one individual still unaccounted for.
Recovery efforts temporarily halted
"Due to continuing mountain hazards, recovery efforts have been temporarily concluded," the association stated. "Further efforts may be possible when conditions allow."
Seasoned mountain guides from the association capitalised on favourable weather conditions and worked tirelessly throughout the week to excavate the snow-entombed base camp.
Rescuers locate 10 other climbers
Rescuers managed to locate 10 other climbers who were part of the group on Mount Himlung, a towering 7,126-metre (23,380-foot) peak situated in north-central Nepal, home to eight of the world's 14 highest mountain peaks, including Mount Everest.
This avalanche is regarded as one of the most catastrophic events in the annals of Nepalese mountaineering.
Nepali climbers among victims
Every year, hundreds of international climbers flock to Nepal to tackle its formidable mountain peaks, with many tragically losing their lives in the attempt due to harsh weather conditions.
All those killed or missing this week were Nepali nationals preparing for the arrival of foreign clients for the Autumn climbing season that kicked off this month.
Nepal is still grappling with the aftermath of catastrophic floods in August that obliterated several villages, resulting in over 1,400 fatalities and nearly 6,000 people unaccounted for.
