Ten people, including climbers and support staff, are unaccounted for after an avalanche struck Himlung Himal, a 7,126-metre peak in the Nar Phu area of Manang district.

Rishi Bhandari, general secretary of the Expedition Operators Association Nepal, confirmed the incident on Sunday. “Yes, the incident is true,” Bhandari said.

Two of those unaccounted for are from Imagine Nepal Pvt Ltd, and eight are from Himalayan Holidays Nepal, according to Bhandari.

Ram Krishna Lamichhane, director general of the Department of Tourism, said the department was closely monitoring the situation. He said officials were collecting further details about the incident and efforts to locate and rescue those unaccounted for.

The incident comes amid persistent rain and snowfall in the mountain districts.