Avalanche Buries Nepal Mountaineers, Killing Seven Including Five Foreigners

A deadly avalanche struck Nepal’s Yalung Ri in Dolakha, killing at least seven climbers.

“Victims include five foreigners and two Nepalis, while four others remain missing, media reports say”

Al Jazeera

The victims reportedly included five foreigners and two Nepalis.

Al Jazeera

The avalanche affected a 15-member team in the Rolwaling Valley on Monday.

Multiple sources report that four climbers remain missing.

Poor weather initially delayed rescue operations.

There are differing accounts on whether the team was at base camp or ascending during the incident.

However, all agree the tragedy occurred on or near Yalung Ri, which is about 5,630 meters high.

The climb took place under harsh conditions with persistent snowfall.

Officials and media describe delayed helicopter access and a challenging search for the missing due to unstable snow.

Rescue operations were slowed by heavy snowfall, poor visibility, and unstable snow.

These conditions delayed helicopters and forced ground teams to shoulder the initial response.

BBC

Reports vary on injuries and evacuations, with some stating four Nepali climbers were evacuated or airlifted.

Others report five injured climbers and note that bad weather initially prevented helicopter flights.

Injured survivors described long waits for help as authorities mobilized the Nepal Army, police, and local teams under adverse conditions.

There is clear confusion over nationalities involved in the incident.

“A search and rescue operation continues for the rest of the group, which includes other foreign nationals and local guides 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 Trekssaid”

BBC

Multiple outlets—Al Jazeera, The Independent, and Latest news from Azerbaijan—report three French, one Canadian, and one Italian among the foreign deceased.

In contrast, People and Northeast Live claim that three Americans were among the five foreigners.

NE NOW provides a different list, naming two Italians, a Canadian, a German, and a French climber.

Authorities had not publicly released names in some reports, which contributed to the discrepancies.

Timelines and setting also vary.

Kathmandu Post times the avalanche at about 8:30 am; NE NOW reports around 9 am; The Himalayan Times places it at about 10:30 a.m.

bluewin E-Mail

Several outlets say the strike was at or near base camp, while others say the team was ascending.

Tabloid accounts add expedition context: the 15-member team had spent the night in Na village and was acclimatising ahead of a Dolma Kang attempt, preparing to climb Yalung Ri as part of that process.

Northeast Live adds that Na:gaun’s temporary relocation due to snowfall delayed reporting of the avalanche.

Heavy snowfall preceded the avalanche, and the end of the season is considered hazardous.

“Seven climbers—five foreigners and two Nepalis—were killed and four others went missing after an avalanche struck the base camp of Yalung Ri in the Rolwaling mountain range of Dolakha district on Monday”

kathmandupost

Some reports include broader incidents in the Himalayas or notes about the terrain.

kathmandupost

The Himalayan Times reports that two more climbers died on Panbari Himal in a separate avalanche during the same period.

Bluewin E‑Mail highlights the tragedy occurring near the end of the autumn climbing season.

Latest news from Azerbaijan describes Rolwaling’s mixed terrain and mentions two Italians missing on another peak in western Nepal.

Букви provides details on base-camp and peak altitudes, although The Himalayan Times lists a much higher elevation for Yalung Ri, which differs from other sources.