At least three climbers, including a French national and two Nepalese individuals, have lost their lives after being struck by an avalanche on a Himalayan peak in north-eastern Nepal, according to police reports.
The tragic event occurred around 09:00 local time (03:15 GMT) on Monday, close to the base camp of Yalung Ri mountain located in Dolakha district.
In addition to the casualties, four others are feared missing, reportedly comprising two Italians, a German, and a Canadian. All of them were part of a group of 12 trekkers and local guides who set out over an hour prior to the avalanche, as per statements from the district police chief.
Five Nepali guides who managed to return to the base camp sustained injuries, though they are not life-threatening.
Three bodies have been sighted, and search teams are now focused on locating four other individuals, stated local deputy police superintendent Gyan Kumar Mahato.
The fate of the additional two confirmed fatalities, who are both Nepali, remains unclear as to their involvement with the climbing group.
Search efforts have been complicated by adverse weather conditions, according to local media.
In a separate incident, rescue operations are ongoing for two Italian climbers who went missing while attempting to summit Panbari mountain in western Nepal. The third member of their group has already been rescued.
Autumn is traditionally a popular season for climbing in Nepal, but it carries substantial risks of severe weather and avalanches. Following Cyclone Montha, which caused heavy rains and snowfall, many climbers have faced perilous conditions.
The high-altitude regions continue to pose challenges, as recent reports indicated that hundreds of hikers were stranded near Mount Everest amid similar harsh conditions last month.
