Tragic Avalanche Claims Lives of Seven Climbers in Nepal

Wed Nov 05 2025 15:34:22 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A devastating avalanche in northeastern Nepal has led to the deaths of at least seven climbers, prompting a search and rescue operation amidst challenging weather conditions.

Seven climbers, including five foreigners and two Nepali guides, have perished in an avalanche near Yalung Ri mountain in Nepal's Dolakha district. The tragedy struck during their acclimatization preparations for a climb. Rescuers are currently searching for five individuals still missing, with the operation hampered by adverse weather. In a separate incident, two Italian climbers were also found dead in western Nepal. Autumn, while a favored season for climbing, bears risks exacerbated by recent severe weather conditions.

At least seven climbers, including five foreigners and two Nepalis, have died after being hit by an avalanche on a Himalayan peak in north-eastern Nepal, expedition agency Seven Summit Treks said.

The incident happened at 09:00 local time (03:15 GMT) on Monday near the base camp of the Yalung Ri mountain in Dolakha district. Rescuers located two bodies and are still searching for the remaining five, who are believed to have been buried by snow. Eight others have been rescued and are receiving treatment for their injuries in Kathmandu.

All these climbers were part of a group that set out over an hour before the avalanche hit, the district police chief informed. The bodies of the other five deceased climbers may be 10-15 feet below the snow, said Mingma Sherpa, chairman of Seven Summit Treks. It will take time to find them. Those killed include two Italians, a Canadian, a German, a French national, and two Nepalis acting as guides.

Local Deputy Superintendent of Police Gyan Kumar Mahato stated that a rescue helicopter had landed in Na Gaun area of Dolakha, which is a five-hour walk from the Yalung Ri base camp. One of the injured climbers told The Kathmandu Post that they had repeatedly called for help, expressing belief that timely intervention could have saved more lives.

Authorities reported that poor weather and logistical challenges complicated rescue efforts, making it difficult to deploy helicopters or navigate on foot to the site. Reports suggest the group was preparing to climb the nearby Dolma Khang peak as part of their acclimatization schedule, having intended to summit the 5,630m Yalung Ri before ascending higher.

In a related story, the bodies of two Italian climbers, Stefano Farronato and Alessandro Caputo, who went missing while attempting to scale another mountain in Nepal, have also been recovered. They were part of a group that became stranded along with local guides and lost contact with the base camp following heavy snowfall at the end of October.

Despite autumn being traditionally a favorable season for trekking and climbing in Nepal due to generally better weather conditions, risks such as severe weather and avalanches persist. Recent incidents, including Cyclone Montha, have triggered heavy rainfall and snowfall across the country, underscoring the dangers faced by adventurers in the Himalayas.

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