At least three climbers, including a French national and two Nepalese individuals, lost their lives due to an avalanche on a Himalayan peak in north-eastern Nepal. The event occurred around 09:00 local time on Monday near the base camp of Yalung Ri mountain in the Dolakha district. Four more climbers—two Italians, a German, and a Canadian—are currently unaccounted for, and search efforts are ongoing. The deceased and missing were part of a group of 12 trekkers and local guides who commenced their trek more than an hour prior to the avalanche, according to the district police chief.
Five Nepali guides who returned to the base camp sustained injuries, though they are not in critical condition. Local deputy superintendent of police Gyan Kumar Mahato stated that three bodies have been located, and rescue teams are actively searching for the remaining four. It remains unclear whether the two confirmed Nepali fatalities were associated with the climbing group or were independent climbers.
A rescue helicopter was dispatched to the Na Gaun area of Dolakha, which is approximately a five-hour walk from Yalung Ri’s base camp. Efforts to find the missing climbers have been complicated by poor weather and logistical challenges. The Kathmandu Post reports that the group was preparing to ascend the nearby Dolma Khang peak, standing at 6,332 meters (20,774 feet).
In a separate incident, search operations continue for two Italian climbers, Stefano Farronato and Alessandro Caputo, who went missing while attempting to scale Panbari mountain in western Nepal. They were part of a three-person team alongside three local guides. The third member of their group, identified as Velter Perlino, has already been rescued.
Despite autumn being a popular season for trekking and mountaineering in Nepal, recent adverse weather, including Cyclone Montha, has resulted in heavy rainfall and snowfall, posing risks such as avalanches.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c2kp42y5y81o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss