At least seven climbers five foreigners and two Nepalis have been confirmed dead following a devastating avalanche on Yalung Ri Mountain in Nepal’s Dolakha district, expedition organizers and local authorities said.
The tragic incident occurred at 9:00 a.m. local time (03:15 GMT) on Monday, November 3, 2025, near the mountain’s base camp, according to Seven Summit Treks, the expedition agency coordinating the climb.
Rescue teams have so far recovered two bodies, while five others remain missing, believed to be buried 10–15 feet under snow, said Mingma Sherpa, chairman of Seven Summit Treks.
“It will take time to find them,” Sherpa explained, citing the challenging conditions at the avalanche site.
The victims include two Italians, a Canadian, a German, a French national, and two Nepali guides.
Eight other climbers who were part of the same expedition have been rescued and flown to Kathmandu for treatment, while search operations continue despite poor weather and difficult terrain.
Delayed Rescue Efforts
Local police said the climbers had set out for their ascent just an hour before the avalanche struck. District police chief Gyan Kumar Mahato confirmed that a rescue helicopter landed in the Na Gaun area, about a five-hour trek from base camp, but weather disruptions hindered immediate evacuation efforts.
One injured climber told The Kathmandu Post that the team repeatedly called for help with little response.
“Had the rescue arrived on time, more lives could have been saved,” he said.
Authorities said logistical challenges and poor visibility made it difficult to deploy helicopters or reach the site on foot.
Part of a Training Ascent
The group had been acclimatising on Yalung Ri (5,630m) ahead of a planned climb of the nearby Dolma Khang peak (6,332m).
Autumn is a peak season for trekking and mountaineering in Nepal, with generally stable weather and clear visibility. However, recent heavy snowfall and avalanches triggered by Cyclone Montha have significantly raised the risks for climbers.
Other Rescues Underway
In a separate incident, rescue operations are ongoing for two Italian climbers missing on Panbari Mountain in western Nepal. The pair Stefano Farronato and Alessandro Caputo were part of a three-man expedition. Their teammate, Velter Perlino, 65, and three Nepali guides have since been rescued.
Recent extreme weather has disrupted several expeditions across the Himalayas. Last week, two British and one Irish woman were rescued after being trapped for days in the Mustang region, while hundreds of hikers were stranded near Mount Everest in October.
