Nepal: At least seven climbers, including five foreign nationals, lost their lives in eastern Nepal after an avalanche swept through a mountaineering camp on Yalung Ri, a 5,630-metre peak in the Rolwaling Valley. The tragedy struck as a team of 15 climbers was attempting the ascent, amid days of continuous snowfall and poor weather conditions.
Officials confirmed that three French nationals, one Canadian, one Italian, and two Nepali climbers were killed. Four Nepali mountaineers suffered injuries and were airlifted to safety, while four others remain missing. Local authorities said the avalanche buried the climbers on a steep slope, making immediate rescue nearly impossible.
A surviving climber described desperate moments as the team shouted for help, unable to move through deep snow and debris. Rescue teams were delayed for hours as heavy snowfall and dense cloud cover prevented helicopters from reaching the remote area.
An aircraft eventually arrived late on Monday evening, while ground rescue teams trekked through treacherous terrain to join the effort. The search is expected to continue as skies begin to clear.
Nepal’s Himalayan ranges attract hundreds of climbers every year, but autumn expeditions pose extra challenges due to colder temperatures, shorter days, and unstable snow conditions. The recent passage of Cyclone Montha intensified weather disturbances, triggering heavy snow across mountain routes and leaving several trekking groups stranded in different regions last week.
In a separate incident, authorities are also searching for two Italian climbers who went missing on a remote peak in western Nepal. Tourism officials said contact with the pair was lost during their ascent, adding to concerns amid unusually harsh weather across Nepal’s highlands.
Nepal, home to eight of the world’s highest mountains, including Everest, remains one of the most sought-after destinations for mountaineers. Yet the latest tragedy highlights the constant risks faced in the Himalayas, where unpredictable weather and fragile snow layers can turn a dream climb into disaster within moments.
