Italy has confirmed that seven of its citizens are missing in Nepal after attempting to climb a Himalayan peak in the northeastern region of the country. The missing climbers were at the base camp of Dolma Khang, a peak reaching 6,332 meters (20,774 feet) in the Dolakha district.
This tragic news comes as three other Italian climbers have been confirmed dead, victims of an avalanche that struck near Dolma Khang earlier this week. Diplomatic efforts to locate the missing climbers are being spearheaded by a senior Italian diplomat who has arrived in Kathmandu to work with Nepali authorities and search teams.
Rom's foreign ministry has reported that amidst dangerous conditions, they are still searching for Marco Di Marcello and Markus Kircheler, who were confirmed to be in the Yalung Ri area, which was also hit by an avalanche. Both were part of a larger group of climbers, including Paolo Cocco, who had earlier been declared deceased.
The region has recently suffered from severe storms and avalanches, leading to tragic outcomes for several climbers. As ongoing searches continue, conflicting reports regarding the number of casualties and missing climbers have emerged, complicating the situation further.
The latest developments indicate that five individuals, including three foreign climbers and two local guides, are unaccounted for in the Dolma Khang area as authorities continue to coordinate with trekking agencies for more information.
Additionally, other missing climbers around the Panbari peak area have also been reported, highlighting the dangers present in Nepal’s mountainous regions during this time of year, which has seen hazardous weather conditions triggered by Cyclone Montha, leading to heavy rains and snowfall.
As Nepal remains a popular destination for trekkers and mountaineers in autumn, the ongoing threat of severe weather poses significant risks to climbers in the Himalayas, as this tragic week has shown.
