A team of European and Nepali climbers were struck by a tragedy early on Sunday when an avalanche hit them at the slopes near second and third base camps of Mount Manaslu (8156 m). At least nine bodies of the climbers have been recovered including that of a German, Spanish and a Nepali, while four are still missing. The remaining 18 climbers were rescued alive by the team of three helicopters belonging to Simrik Air and Fishtail Air that flew in immediately from Kathmandu and Pokhara.

The injured climbers were flown in to Kathmandu immediately for the treatment. According to DSP Basanta Bahadur Kunwar of Gorkha, police were not involved in the rescue operation as the altitude is too high and the weather too harsh, and only experienced people who are familiar with the terrain have been mobilized. The search and rescue continued till late in the afternoon but had to be called off due to bad weather. The search team will look for the missing climbers again on Monday.

The accident took place at 7000 meters above sea level and around 180 Km away from district headquarter.

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