An avalanche struck a camp on Mount Yalung Ri in Nepal, killing five foreign climbers and two Nepali guides, officials said. Shailendra Thapa, a spokesperson for the armed police force, said five other people were injured at the base camp, which sits at about 4,900 metres (16,070 ft).
Authorities had not officially confirmed the identities or nationalities of the deceased climbers, but local media reported that three were US citizens, one was Canadian and one was Italian.
Weather across Nepal’s mountains has been deteriorating since last week, with snowstorms reported at higher elevations. Rescuers were reaching the site on foot after a rescue helicopter was forced to turn back because of poor conditions; officials said the aircraft would attempt to return at dawn on Tuesday.
Mount Yalung Ri is a roughly 5,600-metre peak that is often considered suitable for beginners and those without prior high-altitude climbing experience. Nepal is home to eight of the world’s 14 tallest mountains, including Mount Everest. Spring is the most popular climbing season because conditions are generally better, although many foreign climbers also attempt smaller peaks in the autumn window between the monsoon and winter.
