Two climbers confirmed dead, five missing after avalanche on Yalung Ri
Eight rescued following massive avalanche in Dolakha’s Rolwaling region; most sustained minor injuries and have since returned home.
Two climbers have been confirmed dead and five others remain missing after an avalanche struck several groups of mountaineers on Yalung Ri in Dolakha’s Rolwaling region on Monday morning, officials said.
District Superintendent of Police (DSP) Gyan Kumar Mahato said eight other members of the expedition teams were rescued from the site.
The avalanche occurred early on Monday morning, but the ground rescue team was deployed around 3 p.m. The rescuers walked through the night to reach the site, which is why many members were saved alive, he said.
According to authorities, the rescued climbers with minor injuries have already returned home, while three remain hospitalized for further treatment.
The Department of Tourism identified the deceased as Nepali guides Padam Tamang and Mere Karki. The missing includes two Italians — Paolo Cocco and Marcus Kirchler — French national Manfredi Christian Andre, Canadian Marco Di Marcello, and German Jakob Schreiber.
Three French climbers — Carole Fuchs, Dididr Armand Betior, and Thaon Isabelle Solange — were rescued and flown to Kathmandu for treatment. Carole, who sustained only minor injuries, has been discharged, while Dididr and Thaon are undergoing treatment at Ira International Hospital.
Nepali expedition members Lakpa Tamang and Sun Bahadur Gurung are receiving treatment at HAMS Hospital. Nima Gyaljen Sherpa, Raju Gurung, and Chhulthim Dolma Gurung, who suffered minor injuries, were discharged directly from Kathmandu airport.
Dr. Sitaram Parajuli, at emergecy ward at HAMS Hospital, said Lakpa Sherpa sustained serious injuries requiring at least three major surgeries.
Tamang's eight left ribs are broken, right ankle has been shredded into pieces and his left upper arm is fractured. Besides, his lungs are filled with blood and air. "But his condition is currently stable,” said Dr Parajuli.
Gurung suffered a dislocated right hip, with no visible external injuries. Further medical evaluations are planned later today, Dr. Parajuli added.
The rescue team, which departed from the Dolakha district headquarters on Monday afternoon, reached the site after walking through the night.
Mountaineer Phurba Tenzing Sherpa of Dreamers’ Destination Treks & Expedition Pvt. Ltd., whose team was set to climb nearby Dolma Khang, expressed little hope of finding the missing climbers alive.
The Rolwaling Valley, one of Nepal’s most remote and avalanche-prone mountain regions, lies between Gaurishankar and Melungtse peaks and is home to several Sherpa communities.
According to the Department of Tourism, Yalung Ri is classified as a trekking peak and had no climbing permits issued this season, though nearby Dolma Khang was approved for ascent.
More than 1,400 climbers have received permits to scale Nepal’s peaks this autumn — the country’s second busiest climbing season after spring. However, search and rescue operations across the Himalayas have been hampered by persistent bad weather linked to a cyclone system over India.
This news has been updated following the release of the final details of the incident by the authorities after the rescue team reached the site
