7 Climbers Dead as Avalanche Strikes Nepal’s Yalung Ri Peak

A tragic avalanche struck the base camp of Yalung Ri Peak in eastern Nepal on Monday morning, killing seven climbers and injuring several others. The 5,630-metre (18,471-foot) Himalayan mountain, located in Dolakha district, became the site of a devastating disaster that swept through the camp where 12 people were stationed.

According to expedition organisers, the victims include three Italians, one German, one French, and two Nepali climbers. Five others — two French nationals and two Nepalis among them — were rescued by a helicopter team early Tuesday morning and airlifted to safety.

Phurba Tenjing Sherpa, an expedition leader from Dreamers Destination, confirmed the fatalities and said he personally saw the bodies of the seven climbers. His company had organised the expedition for three of the deceased.

Rescue operations were launched soon after the avalanche hit. Helicopters from Nepal Police and private operators battled harsh weather conditions to reach the remote base camp. Authorities confirmed that all survivors have been accounted for, and efforts are ongoing to retrieve the bodies of the deceased from the avalanche debris.

Senior police official Gyan Kumar Mahato stated, “Rescuers reached the site early this morning. The surviving climbers were evacuated safely and are receiving medical attention.”

The avalanche comes amid worsening weather conditions across Nepal. Last week, Cyclone Montha brought heavy rain and snowfall to many Himalayan regions, stranding trekkers and climbers on popular routes.

Nepal, home to eight of the world’s ten highest peaks — including Mount Everest — attracts hundreds of climbers each year. Autumn is considered the second most popular climbing season after spring, but shorter days, cold winds, and unstable snow often make it more dangerous.

Officials from the Department of Tourism said two other Italian climbers have also gone missing while scaling a remote peak in western Nepal, further adding to the recent string of mountaineering tragedies.

According to the Himalayan Database, at least 1,093 people have died on Nepal’s peaks since 1950, with nearly one-third of those fatalities caused by avalanches.

Authorities and rescue teams are continuing their operations despite difficult terrain and weather conditions, while embassies are coordinating with local officials to identify and repatriate the bodies of foreign nationals.