Two bodies found after avalanche hits Himalayan climbing group

Rescuers have recovered two bodies from the site of an avalanche that struck a climbing group camping in the Nepalese part of the Himalayas.

Around a dozen people are still thought to be missing after a sheet of snow fell on the base camp of Himlung Himal peak on Manang district on Sunday morning.

The group of Nepalese nationals, including climbers and support staff, had been sent ahead of foreign climbers to prepare the camp and fix ropes.

Forecasts showed there was heavy snowfall around the 7,126m (23,380ft) peak in recent days, which lies on Nepal's border with Tibet.

Poor weather has hampered rescue efforts, with helicopters and rescue teams initially unable to reach the site.

Bibhuti Chand Thakur, of Himalaya Holidays Trekking, told news agency AFP that at least eight members of his expedition team had been reported missing. The exact number of climbers still unaccounted for remains unclear.

A rescue team consisting of experienced mountaineers was rushed from the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu, via helicopter.

That effort is now expected to continue on Monday due to the thick snow and bad weather, local media report.