An avalanche on Mount Yalung Ri in Nepal has killed at least seven climbers, including several foreigners, with rescue efforts ongoing amid challenging weather conditions that have hampered search operations.
The avalanche struck around 8:30 a.m. local time on Monday at the base camp of Mount Yalung Ri in the Dolakha district of eastern Nepal. A group of climbers and guides were preparing for an expedition when they were buried by snow, with the incident occurring during heavy snowfall linked to Cyclone Montha. Initial reports from police and expedition agencies indicate that the avalanche swept through the camp suddenly, trapping those present.
Among the deceased are five foreign nationals and two Nepali guides, with confirmed nationalities including Americans, Canadians, Italians, a German, and a French citizen. Four individuals remain missing and are presumed buried under deep snow, while eight others have been rescued and transported to Kathmandu for medical treatment. The injured are receiving care for various ailments, though specific conditions have not been disclosed.
Rescue operations have faced significant obstacles due to poor weather, including low visibility and strong winds, which prevented helicopter flights for several hours. Ground-based teams were also delayed by the remote and rugged terrain, with authorities from Nepal’s army, police, and armed police force collaborating in the efforts. The search resumed on Tuesday morning after initial attempts were suspended, focusing on recovering bodies and locating the missing.
The climbing group consisted of five foreign climbers and ten Nepali guides who had set out to scale Yalung Ri as part of an acclimatization schedule for a planned ascent of the nearby Dolma Khang peak. The avalanche hit shortly after their departure, overwhelming the camp and highlighting the unpredictable dangers of high-altitude mountaineering. Expedition organizers noted that the group was well-prepared, but the suddenness of the event left little time for evasion.
Nepal, home to eight of the world’s 14 tallest mountains, attracts hundreds of climbers during the autumn season due to generally favorable weather conditions. However, recent cyclonic activity has increased avalanche risks, with Cyclone Montha causing heavy snowfall across the region. This incident follows other weather-related strandings in the Himalayas, underscoring the volatile nature of mountain environments.
Mountaineering experts emphasize that such tragedies often turn rescue missions into recovery operations when delays occur, prioritizing rescuer safety to avoid further casualties. The international community, including consular services from affected countries, is providing support to victims’ families, while local authorities plan to review safety protocols and incident response measures once the immediate crisis is resolved.