At least seven people have been killed in an avalanche on Mount Yalung Ri in Nepal, according to local authorities. The victims include five foreign climbers and two Nepali guides, police confirmed on Monday.
Shailendra Thapa, spokesperson for Nepal’s Armed Police Force, said that five others were injured in the incident, which occurred at the mountain’s base camp, located at an altitude of 4,900 meters (16,000 feet).
The nationalities and identities of the foreign climbers have not yet been confirmed. Media reports indicate that weather conditions in Nepal have deteriorated since last week, with heavy snowstorms reported in several mountainous regions.
Rescue teams were dispatched on foot due to the treacherous conditions. A helicopter rescue attempt was made but had to turn back because of poor weather. Thapa said authorities would attempt to resume the rescue operation early Tuesday morning if conditions improve.
Mount Yalung Ri, which rises to 5,600 meters (18,370 feet), is considered a beginner-friendly peak, often chosen by climbers seeking their first high-altitude experience. Nepal is home to eight of the world’s fourteen highest mountains, including Mount Everest, the tallest peak on Earth.
Sources: The Kathmandu Post, NBC News, CNN