Nepal’s Mountain Tragedy: Nine Climbers Dead in Two Devastating Avalanches

Nepal’s Himalayan peaks have become the site of a devastating tragedy as nine climbers, including two local guides, have lost their lives in two separate avalanche disasters that struck within days of each other. The incidents, which claimed the lives of international mountaineers and experienced Nepali guides, have raised fresh concerns about safety in high-altitude climbing and the unpredictable dangers posed by changing weather patterns in the world’s most challenging mountain ranges.

The first catastrophic avalanche struck early Monday morning on Mount Yalung Ri, one of Nepal’s popular trekking and climbing destinations, while a second incident claimed lives in the Manaslu region on Tuesday, when the bodies of two missing Italian climbers were discovered. Together, these tragedies highlight the inherent risks of Himalayan mountaineering and the toll that severe weather conditions can exact on those who venture into the world’s highest peaks.

The Yalung Ri Avalanche: A Mountain of Snow and Ice Descends Without Warning

In the early hours of Monday morning, at approximately 10 am local time, a massive avalanche tore through the base camp of Mount Yalung Ri (6,920 meters) in the Dolakha district of eastern Nepal. The catastrophe struck a group of 15 climbers who were preparing for their ascent of the nearby Dolma Khang peak, one of the popular climbing objectives in the Rolwaling region near Nepal’s border with Tibet.​

The avalanche, described as burying everyone on the slope, struck with sudden and devastating force. According to Deputy Superintendent of Police Gyan Kumar Mahato, the group had only recently arrived at the base camp for acclimatization before their main expedition when the disaster occurred. What should have been a routine preparation period turned into a nightmare of ice, snow, and chaos.

Seven people perished in the avalanche. The deceased included two Italian nationals identified as Paolo Cocco and Marco Di Marcello, one Canadian climber, one French mountaineer, one German national, and two Nepali guide members of the expedition team. An eyewitness account from French climber Didier Armand Berton, 61, who survived the disaster, captured the terrifying moment. “Suddenly we heard a loud noise, and the slabs came crashing down, and we were caught in them,” he recounted from his hospital bed in Kathmandu, recovering from broken ribs.​

Survivors Rescued, But Many Injured

Five other climbers were injured in the Yalung Ri incident, including three Nepali nationals and two French climbers. These survivors were airlifted to hospitals in Kathmandu on Tuesday morning via rescue helicopters that finally managed to reach the area after weather conditions cleared. Four additional climbers with minor injuries were also successfully rescued from the site, though the recovery operation faced significant challenges due to adverse weather and heavy snowfall that persisted through Monday.​

Rescue operations were severely hampered on the day of the disaster. The severe weather conditions, including fierce wind gusts, heavy snow, and near-zero visibility, prevented rescue helicopters from landing near the base camp on Monday. Instead, rescue teams were forced to trek on foot through treacherous terrain to reach the scene, a journey that took approximately five hours from the nearest accessible point.​

One injured survivor, who chose to remain anonymous, described the horror of waiting for help: “We cried for help, no one reached us. We were informed that a helicopter would arrive after four hours, but by that time, several of our friends had already disappeared.” The account underscores the isolation and desperation that climbers face when disasters strike at high altitude.​

The Separate Tragedy at Mount Panbari: Italian Climbers Found Dead

While rescue efforts continued on Yalung Ri, another heartbreaking discovery unfolded in the Manaslu region. Two Italian mountaineers, Stefano Farronato and Alessandro Caputo, who had been missing since October 28 after heavy snowfall blanked the area, were found dead inside their tent at Camp 1 of Mount Panbari (6,887 meters) on Tuesday.​

Their bodies were recovered from an altitude of 5,242 meters, indicating that they had attempted to descend to a safer location but were overtaken by the severe weather. The circumstances surrounding their deaths suggest they became trapped by deteriorating conditions and struggled against the elements until succumbing to the cold and exhaustion.​

However, not all members of their team perished. Another Italian climber, Velter Paralion, who had been stranded with Farronato and Caputo, was successfully rescued on Sunday, providing some measure of hope amid the otherwise grim outcome.​

The Role of Severe Weather: Cyclone Montha and Rapid Temperature Changes

Both avalanches were preceded by severe weather patterns affecting Nepal’s Himalayan region. Cyclone Montha swept through the area last week, bringing torrential rainfall to lower elevations and massive snowfall at higher altitudes. The cyclone disrupted normal weather patterns and left climbers stranded along well-known trekking routes across Nepal.​

According to Himal Gautam, a spokesperson for Nepal’s Department of Tourism, the weather phenomenon may have been a contributing factor to the avalanches. “We suspect the substantial snowfall may have triggered the disaster, but we have not reached a definitive conclusion,” Gautam stated. Officials theorize that the rapid temperature changes following Cyclone Montha—as conditions cleared and temperatures rose on Sunday—may have destabilized snow layers on the mountainside, ultimately triggering the avalanche.​

The Yalung Ri base camp sits at approximately 4,900 meters (16,000 feet), where climbers typically acclimatize before ascending higher peaks. At this altitude, climbers are already exposed to harsh and unpredictable weather, but the additional burden of recent heavy snowfall created an unusually dangerous scenario. Experts believe the fresh snow may have accumulated on unstable slopes or older snow layers, creating conditions ripe for catastrophic failure.

The Victims: Internationals and Guides United in Tragedy

The seven victims of the Yalung Ri avalanche came from different countries and backgrounds. The Italian nationals Paolo Cocco and Marco Di Marcello were experienced mountaineers who had undertaken expeditions in challenging environments. The French and German climbers represented Europe’s strong climbing community, while the Canadian victim was part of an international expedition seeking to tackle Himalayan peaks.

The two Nepali guides who perished were crucial members of any mountain expedition. Nepali guides, often from Sherpa communities, possess generations of mountain knowledge and are essential to the survival and success of climbing expeditions. Their deaths represent a loss not only to the international climbing community but also to Nepal’s mountain heritage and the families who depend on guide income.​

Nepal: A Climbing Destination With Inherent Risks

Nepal is home to eight of the world’s fourteen highest mountains, including the iconic Mount Everest. The nation’s mountainous terrain attracts climbers from across the globe, with autumn months (September through November) particularly popular for climbing expeditions, as the weather typically offers a window between the monsoon rains and winter snowstorms.​

Mount Yalung Ri, at 5,630 meters, is considered one of Nepal’s more accessible peaks for climbers without extensive high-altitude climbing experience. It is frequently used as an acclimatization peak before climbers attempt higher summits. This accessibility, combined with its proximity to other popular peaks in the Rolwaling region, makes it a common choice for expedition agencies leading groups through the Himalayas.​

However, accessibility does not mean safety. The mountain’s popularity and the changing climate conditions have made it increasingly unpredictable. Just last month, a blizzard left numerous hikers stranded above 4,900 meters on Mount Everest, highlighting the persistent danger climbers face regardless of experience level or peak difficulty.​

Response and Recovery Efforts

Nepal’s government and tourism authorities responded swiftly to the crisis. The Nepal Tourism Board issued a formal condolence message expressing deep sadness over the tragic loss of lives. “We are deeply saddened by the tragic loss of lives in the avalanche. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the families and friends of the seven victims in Yalung Ri mountain,” the tourism board stated.​

Joint rescue missions were mobilized to retrieve the bodies of the seven climbers who died on Yalung Ri, though operations faced logistical challenges given the remote location and continued adverse weather. Search and rescue operations resumed at first light on Tuesday after Monday’s weather made initial efforts impossible.​

Hospital facilities in Kathmandu received the injured survivors, providing medical attention for injuries ranging from broken ribs to trauma and frostbite. The government coordinated closely with expedition agencies and rescue organizations to ensure swift evacuation and medical care.

A Sobering Reminder of Mountain Danger

The death toll from these two avalanches represents one of the deadliest mountaineering incidents in Nepal in recent years. The tragedies serve as a sobering reminder that mountains, regardless of their fame or perceived accessibility, demand respect and carry significant risk. Even experienced climbers and professional guides cannot always anticipate or survive the sudden forces of nature.

Climate change may be exacerbating these risks, with changing precipitation patterns, warmer temperatures causing increased glacier melt and avalanche activity, and more unpredictable weather events like Cyclone Montha affecting mountain regions previously considered more stable.

A Global Mountain Community Mourns

The international climbing community has expressed grief over the loss of fellow climbers and the dedicated guides who work to make expeditions possible. Climbers from Italy, France, Germany, and Canada were among those who lost their lives pursuing their passion for mountaineering—a pursuit that knows no nationality or borders.

For the families of the victims and the mountain communities that depend on climbing tourism, the tragedies highlight both the allure and the peril of the Himalayas. While the mountains continue to call to adventurers from around the world, these incidents underscore the importance of proper preparation, weather awareness, and respect for the awesome and sometimes terrible power of high-altitude environments.

As Nepal’s mountaineering community processes these losses, the focus remains on rescue operations, supporting survivors, and understanding the factors that contributed to these disasters. The mountains endure, ancient and indifferent, while those who seek them out must remain ever vigilant.

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