Search underway for missing Italian climbers on Panpari Himal
Stefano Farronato and Alessandro Caputo have been stranded since October 28 amid heavy snowfall and poor visibility, as Cyclone Montha hampers rescue operations in Nepal’s western Himalayas.
Two Italian climbers have gone missing on Panpari Himal (6,887 metres) in western Nepal after being trapped in heavy snowfall since October 28, said the Department of Tourism (DoT).
Issuing a statement on Sunday, the Department said it has received information from the expedition’s liaison officer and the concerned agency that Farronato Stefano and Caputo Alessandro, members of the Italian Panpari Q7 Expedition, have been stranded at Camp 1 and remain out of contact.
The two climbers had obtained climbing permission from Sherpa Alpine Trekking Service Pvt. Ltd. under permit number 102, the department said. "The Department of Tourism is continuously coordinating and facilitating the search and rescue operation with the concerned agencies and other authorities," Banjade said in a statement, adding that any relevant information about the missing climbers is being sought from all sources.
Panpari Himal, located in Nepal’s remote western region, is rarely climbed and lies in a rugged stretch of the Himalayas that often experiences unpredictable weather.
The incident comes as Cyclone Montha has brought widespread rain and snow across the Nepal Himalayas over the past few days, disrupting flights, rescue operations, and trekking schedules. Weather conditions have worsened visibility and made helicopter operations extremely difficult, according to authorities.
Autumn is Nepal’s second-busiest climbing season after spring, and even more popular among trekkers due to its generally stable weather and clear mountain views. However, this year’s late-season storms have affected several expeditions.
According to the Department of Tourism, around 1,400 climbers from 79 countries have obtained permits to scale various peaks during the ongoing autumn season. Nepal is home to eight of the world’s 14 mountains above 8,000 metres, including Mount Everest, Kanchenjunga, and Dhaulagiri.
Rescue coordination efforts for the missing Italian climbers are ongoing, though poor weather continues to challenge the mission.
