At least seven climbers — five foreigners and two Nepalis — were killed after an avalanche struck near Yalung Ri base camp in Nepal’s Dolakha district. Eight others were rescued and taken to Kathmandu for treatment. Poor weather and logistical issues delayed rescue efforts. In a separate incident, two missing Italian climbers were found dead on Panbari mountain. Severe weather, triggered by Cyclone Montha, has stranded several climbers across Nepal during the autumn climbing season.
Seven Climbers Dead After Avalanche on Himalayan Peak in Nepal
By Diwakar Pyakurel & Phanindra Dahal, BBC Nepali (Kathmandu) and Kathryn Armstrong
At least seven climbers — including five foreigners and two Nepalis — have been killed after an avalanche struck a Himalayan peak in north-eastern Nepal, according to the expedition agency Seven Summit Treks.
The avalanche occurred around 09:00 local time (03:15 GMT) on Monday near the base camp of Yalung Ri mountain in the Dolakha district.
Rescue teams have recovered two bodies so far, while five others remain missing and are believed to be buried beneath the snow. Eight climbers have been rescued and transported to Kathmandu, where they are receiving treatment for injuries.
All of the climbers were part of a team that had set out just over an hour before the avalanche struck, the district police chief told BBC Nepali.
According to Mingma Sherpa, chairman of Seven Summit Treks, the missing climbers “may be buried 10–15 feet below the snow,” adding that recovery efforts “will take time.”
Those killed include two Italians, a Canadian, a German, a French national, and two Nepalis who were serving as mountain guides.
Local deputy superintendent of police Gyan Kumar Mahato said that a rescue helicopter had landed in the Na Gaun area of Dolakha — about a five-hour walk from the Yalung Ri base camp.
One of the injured climbers told The Kathmandu Post that they had called for help multiple times but received no response. “Had the rescue arrived on time, more lives could have been saved,” the climber told the newspaper.
Mr. Mahato added that poor weather conditions and logistical challenges hindered rescue efforts, preventing helicopters and ground teams from reaching the site quickly.
According to The Kathmandu Post, the group had been preparing to climb the nearby Dolma Khang peak (6,332m / 20,774ft). As part of their acclimatisation plan, they were climbing the 5,630m Yalung Ri first.
Separate Incident: Bodies of Two Italian Climbers Found on Panbari Mountain
In a separate development, the bodies of two Italian climbers who went missing while attempting to scale another mountain in Nepal have been recovered, officials confirmed.
Stefano Farronato and Alessandro Caputo were part of a three-man team stranded last week on Panbari mountain in western Nepal, along with three local guides. The third climber, Velter Perlino (65), and one Sherpa were rescued.
The team had been granted permission to climb the 6,887m Panbari peak but lost contact with base camp after heavy snowfall on 28 October.
“When a helicopter was dispatched on Monday for rescue operations, it couldn’t locate the missing climbers but managed to rescue the Italian team leader and a Sherpa from base camp,” said Himal Gautam, Director of the Department of Tourism.
The bodies were recovered on Tuesday and flown to Kathmandu.
Challenging Conditions in Nepal’s Autumn Climbing Season
Autumn is typically a popular season for trekking and mountaineering in Nepal due to favourable weather and clear visibility. However, severe weather and avalanche risks remain a constant threat.
Last week, Cyclone Montha brought heavy rain and snowfall across the country, trapping several groups in the Himalayas.
Among those rescued were two British and one Irish woman, who were stranded for several days in the Mustang region of western Nepal.
In October, hundreds of hikers were also left stranded near Mount Everest due to severe weather disruptions.