Avalanche on Nepal’s Mount Yalung Ri Kills Seven; Rescue Hampered by Severe Weather

Avalanche on Mount Yalung Ri Leaves Seven Dead

At least seven climbers — including three French nationals, one Canadian, one Italian and two Nepalis — were killed after an avalanche struck a high-altitude camp on Mount Yalung Ri in eastern Nepal, local officials and media reported.

The Kathmandu Post, citing Deputy Superintendent of Police Gyan Kumar Mahato and other local authorities, said the avalanche hit a 15-person team as they were ascending Yalung Ri, a 5,630-metre (18,471-foot) peak in the Rolwaling Valley.

“The avalanche buried everyone on the slope,” Deputy Superintendent Mahato told the Kathmandu Post, adding that authorities received the alert late and that bad weather delayed an immediate response.

Four Nepali climbers who were injured have been evacuated, while four other Nepalis remain missing. One of the injured, speaking anonymously to the newspaper, said team members called for help but did not receive a timely response.

“We shouted and cried for help, but no one could reach us,” the climber said. “We were told a helicopter would come after four hours, but by then several of our friends were gone.”

Mahato said helicopters could not initially operate over the area because of heavy snowfall and low cloud, though an aircraft finally reached the site on Monday evening. Foot rescue teams were also dispatched and search operations were reported to resume the following morning.

Location and conditions

Yalung Ri sits in the remote Rolwaling Valley in northeastern Nepal, where approaches and routes combine rock, ice and snow. The valley had experienced continuous snowfall and generally poor conditions for several days prior to the avalanche.

Authorities noted that recent severe weather linked to Cyclone Montha brought heavy rains and snowfall across Nepal, disrupting travel and stranding trekkers on popular Himalayan routes.

Wider context

Nepal is home to eight of the world’s 14 highest peaks, including Mount Everest, and draws hundreds of mountaineers and trekkers each year. Autumn expeditions in October and November are typically less busy than the spring season because of colder, shorter days and a narrower safe summit window.

Separately, tourism officials reported that two Italian climbers were missing while attempting a remote peak in western Nepal.

Note: Information is based on media reports and statements from local officials; rescue and recovery operations were ongoing at the time of reporting.