9 Climbers Killed In Nepal Avalanche

New Delhi, Sept 24, IRNA - At least nine climbers, including foreign tourists, were killed and eight others went missing when an avalanche hit climbers on a Himalayan peak in Nepal Sunday. The avalanche hit a camp in Gorkha district, around 250 kms northwest of the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu. There were at least 50 people from different expeditions on the mountain when the avalanche hit the Camp III at Mt Manaslu situated at 7,300 metre altitude as the climbers heading towards the peak. Nine dead bodies have been recovered which include a Sherpa guide and six foreigners, pti reported quoting chairman of Himalayan Rescue Association Santa Subba. Three of the dead have been identified as German, Spanish and Nepali nationals. Eight foreign tourists, including five French climbers have gone missing after the incident. More than 15 foreign tourists have been rescued from the site and provided first aid after being brought back to the base camp, while five injured have been airlifted to Kathmandu for further treatment. Three helicopters were dispatched and the Army, police and local rescue workers were mobilised to carry out rescue operations in the avalanche-hit area./end