At least seven climbers, including five foreigners and two Nepalis, have died after being hit by an avalanche on a Himalayan peak in north-eastern Nepal, expedition agency Seven Summit Treks said.
The incident happened at 09:00 local time (03:15 GMT) on Monday near the base camp of the Yalung Ri mountain in Dolakha district.
Rescuers located two bodies and are still searching for the remaining five, who are believed to have been buried by snow. Eight others have been rescued and are in the capital Kathmandu receiving treatment for their injuries.
All these climbers were part of a group that set out over an hour before the avalanche hit, the district police chief told BBC Nepali.
The chairman of Seven Summit Treks, Mingma Sherpa, mentioned that the bodies of the other five deceased climbers may be 10-15 feet below the snow. He added, It will take time to find them.\u00a0
Among those killed were two Italians, a Canadian, a German, a French national, and two Nepalis serving as guides. Rescue operations have faced delays due to poor weather and logistical challenges according to local officials.
Reports surfaced that one injured climber expressed frustration over the delayed rescue, stating, Had the rescue arrived on time, more lives could have been saved.\u00a0
Moreover, the group was preparing to climb the nearby Dolma Khang peak, which stands at 6,332m (20,774ft), and had included the 5,630m Yalung Ri in their acclimatization plans.
In a separate incident, the bodies of two Italian climbers missing while attempting to scale Panbari mountain have been recovered, highlighting the perilous nature of climbing in the region, especially after recent heavy snowfall due to Cyclone Montha.
Autumn typically attracts many trekkers and climbers to Nepal due to favorable conditions, but the risk of severe weather and avalanches remains a significant concern.
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