An avalanche in Nepal’s Dolakha district has killed seven climbers – five foreigners and two Nepali guides, while four others remain missing after being swept away near the Yalung Ri base camp on Monday morning.
Police said all missing persons are Nepali high-altitude workers, reports The Kathmandu Post.
According to the Dolakha District Police Office, the avalanche struck around 8:30am as a team of 15 – five foreign climbers and 10 Nepalis was scaling Yalung Ri (5,630 metres) in the Rolwaling mountain range. Four other Nepalis sustained injuries in the disaster.
Survivors said they had desperately called for help from their teammates in Na village soon after the avalanche struck.
“We shouted and called for hours, but no one could reach us through the snow,” one injured climber told The Kathmandu Post from Na village. “Rescue was delayed for hours, and we lost several of our friends. If help had arrived earlier, some lives could have been saved.”
Officials said the group had initially planned to summit Dolma Kang (6,334 metres) and was climbing Yalung Ri for acclimatisation. The team spent Sunday night in Na village before moving to the Yalung Ri base camp early Monday morning.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Gyan Kumar Mahato confirmed that the deceased included three French nationals, one Canadian, one Italian, and two Nepalis.
“The avalanche buried everyone on the slope,” he said. “We were informed late, and continuous snowfall made rescue efforts extremely difficult.”
Rescue operations faced severe disruption due to poor weather and low visibility.
“We immediately coordinated with the Home Ministry and mobilised the Army, Armed Police Force, and Nepal Police,” Mahato said.
“But heavy snowfall and dense clouds grounded helicopters, forcing rescuers to move on foot.”
The Rolwaling Valley had been experiencing relentless snow and poor weather conditions for several days.
Locals from Na village had already descended to lower settlements due to the harsh conditions.
“The team set out after the weather improved on Sunday, but the snowpack was still unstable,” Mahato added.
A rescue helicopter finally reached Na village on Monday evening, and teams on foot were sent to the site. Authorities said the search for the missing climbers would continue Tuesday morning, weather permitting.
“We watched our teammates disappear under the snow,” said another survivor. “The rescue took too long by the time help arrived, it was already too late.”
The deadly avalanche has once again highlighted the growing risks faced by mountaineers in the Himalayas, where unpredictable weather and unstable snow conditions continue to threaten even the most experienced climbers.
