A tragic avalanche in the Himalayas of north-eastern Nepal has led to the deaths of at least three climbers, which includes a French national and two Nepalese citizens, according to local police reports. The incident occurred at 09:00 local time near the base camp of Yalung Ri mountain in Dolakha district.
Four additional climbers, including two Italians, a German, and a Canadian, are currently unaccounted for and are feared to be dead. They were part of a group of twelve trekkers and local guides who had just set out over an hour before the avalanche struck, as stated by the district police chief.
According to local deputy superintendent of police, Gyan Kumar Mahato, Three bodies have been seen and rescue teams have to find four more. The two confirmed dead from Nepal remain unidentified as either guides or climbers themselves, leaving local rescue operations in a challenging situation.
Despite a rescue helicopter reaching a nearby area this past Monday, efforts to locate the missing climbers are being severely impeded by adverse weather conditions and logistical difficulties.
This incident coincides with ongoing rescue attempts for two Italian climbers, Stefano Farronato and Alessandro Caputo, who went missing on Panbari mountain in western Nepal. They had been part of a group that became stranded after severe weather set in last week, which had already caused significant disruptions across Nepal.
While autumn is a peak season for trekking in Nepal due to typically favorable weather, this year has seen increased risks as Cyclone Montha brought heavy rain and snow that left many climbers stranded. The communities in these regions remain on high alert as they navigate the balance between adventure tourism and natural hazards.
