KATHMANDU: An avalanche on a Himalayan peak in northern Nepal has killed nine climbers and six others are missing.
A police official, Basanta Bahadur Kuwar, said the bodies of a Nepalese guide and a German man were recovered and that rescue pilots have spotted seven other bodies on the slopes of Manaslu.
The mountain is the eighth highest in the world.
Ten other members of the team survived yesterday's avalanche but many were injured and are being flown to hospitals by helicopters, he said.
The weather was deteriorating and it was not possible to continue air searches of the mountain, Mr Kuwar said.
The identities of the victims were still being confirmed.
The avalanche hit the climbers at a camp at 7000 metres as they were preparing to head towards the summit, which is 8156 metres high.
It is the beginning of the autumn mountaineering season in Nepal.
Associated Press