Tragedy has struck Nepal’s majestic Himalayas, with an avalanche claiming the lives of seven climbers on Yalung Ri mountain. The snow slide occurred Monday morning in the Dolakha district, near the expedition’s base camp. Reports indicate that five of the deceased were foreign nationals, accompanied by two local Nepali guides. The avalanche struck with brutal force, leaving several climbers buried under an estimated 10 to 15 feet of snow.
Rescue efforts are in full swing, though challenging conditions are hampering progress. While two bodies have been recovered, the search continues for the five still missing. Eight injured climbers were successfully extricated and flown to Kathmandu for necessary medical treatment. The international victims were identified as citizens of Italy, Canada, Germany, and France.
Accessing the remote site proved difficult for rescue teams, with poor weather and treacherous terrain posing significant hurdles. Survivors have spoken of a delayed response from rescue teams, suggesting that quicker arrival could have made a critical difference. The group was in the process of acclimatizing for ascents of both Yalung Ri and the neighboring Dolma Khang peak, a challenging 6,332-meter summit.