One died, four injured critically and nine wounded in Manaslu avalanche
A massive avalanche occurred between Camp III and IV Monday morning, killing one guide and injuring 13 climbers
It has been confirmed by government officials that one guide has died in the massive avalanche in Manaslu that occurred around 11.30 am local time Monday, while thirteen climbers have been injured. The avalanche occurred between Camp III and IV, while hundreds of climbers were heading up to the summit.
"We have confirmed death of a guide, four climbers critically injured and nine others wounded in the avalanche. The deceased is Anup Rai from Sotari Adventures." said Bigyan Koirala, official at the Department of Tourism.
According to him, two critically injured are airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment, while rescue helicopters are trying to evacuate others injured in the mountain.
Search and rescue operations were hampered by bad weather. Climbers from Camp III had gone up for search and rescue of fellow climbers. However, bad weather was major challenge to rescue and evacuate the climbers from the mountain.
Lakpa Sherpa of 8K Expeditions told Everest Chronicle in the afternoon that he heard about the death of a climber and a skier in the morning. "We don't know the number of injured yet. Several teams are mobilized for search and rescue operation,” he had said.
It has been learned that the skier was the famous athlete Hilaree Nelson who had just summited Manaslu with her partner Jim Morrison. While Morrison successfully skied down Manaslu, Nelson apparently fell down the other side of the peak and may have fallen down some 3000m below in the Bhimthang side.This is unrelated to the avalanche and took place just below the summit.
Mingma Gyalje Sherpa aka Mingma.G from Imagine Nepal updated his social media post from Camp III saying that, "5 of my Sherpas got into avalanche. And all rescued safely."
Thaneshwor Guragain of Seven Summit Treks said three climbers injured from his company are being airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment.
Nirmal Purja of Elite Exped stated in his social media posts that all of his climbers and Sherpa guides are safe.
There has been a dramatic surge in the number of climbers in Manaslu this year. Nepal government has issued 404 permits this year, double the number of previous years. An estimated 300 climbing guides are accompanying them, totaling over 700 climbers in Manaslu this autumn.
There hasn't been a clear weather window yet. Climbers were attempting to summit nonetheless. Less than 10 people have summited the mountain so far this season.
This story has been update at 6.30 pm
