A devastating avalanche has struck a Himalayan climbing expedition in Nepal, claiming the lives of at least seven climbers. The incident occurred near the base camp of Yalung Ri mountain in the Dolakha district on Monday morning. Officials confirmed that the victims include five foreign nationals and two experienced Nepali guides. The powerful snowslide hit the group around 9:00 AM local time, burying climbers under significant snow depths.
Search and rescue operations are currently underway to locate the remaining missing climbers, with authorities estimating they may be buried under 10 to 15 feet of snow. Eight individuals who sustained injuries have been successfully rescued and transported to Kathmandu for urgent medical attention. The international climbers hailed from Italy, Canada, Germany, and France.
Choppers were dispatched to the remote Na Gaun area, a challenging five-hour trek from the base camp. However, rescuers faced significant obstacles due to adverse weather conditions and the rugged mountain terrain. Survivors reported delays in rescue efforts, lamenting that timely intervention could have potentially saved more lives. The expedition was reportedly preparing to ascend the nearby Dolma Khang peak as part of their acclimatization strategy, which included scaling Yalung Ri.
