KATHMANDU: The chances of survival for those missing in the Himlung Himal avalanche are substantially high as fresh snow swept through tents at the base camp, expedition officials said.

Although the number of mountain workers and support staff missing in the avalanche has now reportedly risen to 15, the first search and rescue team, led by Mingma G, has observed that there is a high chance of survival for the missing people, said Bibhu Chand Thakur, president of Himalayan Holidays Nepal.

“Mingma G and his team have reached the area and observed the situation on the ground,” Thakur said, adding that they are requesting more help, indicating high hopes of finding survivors at the avalanche site. Fresh snow tore through the tents, and rescuers are expediting the search there, he added. 

Three members of a team of IFMGA/NNMGA climbers led by Mingma G are already at the base camp, while five more IFMGA guides are on their way to the mountain by helicopter, Thakur said. He added that four more climbing Sherpas will also soon take off from Kathmandu airport to help search for and rescue the missing mountain workers.

Thakur said only nine members of the 22-person group from his company are now in contact after the avalanche. There were 22 people from Himalayan Holidays at the base camp when the avalanche hit their tents early this morning, Thakur said, adding that among them, nine are now in contact. “Chhebi Bhote who was earlier reported out of contact is now safe,” he added.

“We are still trying to verify the information as the communication network is quite unstable there,” Thakur said. Two kitchen staff members from Imagine Nepal Treks also lost contact after a fresh snow avalanche hit the base camp.

Devashish Malla, general manager at Himalayan Holidays, said he is also flying to the base camp to coordinate the search mission.