Death high in the mountains of Nepal

A rescue operation in the mountains of Nepal after at least nine climbers were swept to their deaths in an avalanche.

Local police sources have confirmed the bodies of a German and a Nepali guide were recovered from the snow while a further seven were spotted on the slopes of the Himalayan peak.

The avalanche struck at a base camp near the summit on the world’s eighth highest mountain in the north of the country, the 8,163 metre Mount Manaslu.

Three of those who were rescued identified themselves as French in a group consisting of Europeans including Spanish and Italian climbers. Officials believe as many as six are still missing.

The tragedy happened at 7,000 metres making it difficult for rescue teams to reach the area while helicopters were hampered by cloud and fog.

Hundreds of climbers flock to the region which has eight of the worlds 14 highest mountains.

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