Seven Italian Climbers Missing in Nepal Amidst Avalanche Crisis

Thu Nov 06 2025 03:25:14 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A search operation is underway for seven Italian climbers reported missing in Nepal following a deadly avalanche during their expedition to Dolma Khang peak. While three team members have been confirmed dead, efforts continue to locate the remaining climbers.

Nevada's Dolakha district is currently the site of a tragic incident involving Italian climbers. After an avalanche hit the area, three climbers were found deceased, while seven others remain missing. A senior diplomat from Italy is in Kathmandu to assist with search efforts as the country faces devastating weather conditions.

Italy says seven of its citizens are missing in Nepal after trying to climb a Himalayan peak in the north-east of the country.

Officials reported that the Italian team was at the base camp of Dolma Khang peak, which has an elevation of 6,332m (20,774ft), in Dolakha district.

Three other Italian climbers have been confirmed dead this week, including in an avalanche that struck close to Dolma Khang on Monday.

A senior Italian diplomat from neighbouring India has arrived in Kathmandu to coordinate with the Nepalese authorities and search teams.

Nepal has been ravaged by avalanches and ferocious storms in the past week, resulting in fatalities and injury among climbers and local guides.

At this stage, the local authorities have confirmed the deaths of three Italian climbers, Rome's foreign ministry stated on Wednesday. There remains no news of seven other Italian nationals, including Marco Di Marcello and Markus Kircheler.

Both Mr. Marcello and Mr. Kircheler were believed to be in the Yalung Ri area, where Monday's avalanche occurred. Italian Paolo Cocco was among seven climbers confirmed to have died near the Yalung Ri base camp.

On Tuesday, Mr. Marcello's family informed Italy's Ansa news agency about his satellite radio signal continuing to update, indicating movement.

A Nepali tourism official, Ram Krishna Lamichhane, confirmed that rescue teams are actively searching the Dolma Khang base camp area. According to the information we have, five people, including three foreign climbers and two Nepali guides, are missing in the Dolma Khang base camp area, Mr. Lamichhane noted.

Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the number of dead and missing climbers in the area, alongside their respective nationalities. Coordinations with the trekking agency that organized the expedition to Dolma Khang are ongoing to gather additional details on the missing.

Additionally, two other Italian climbers—Stefano Farronato and Alessandro Caputo—lost their lives while attempting to scale the Panbari peak in western Nepal. Their group had obtained permission for the climb but had gone missing after losing communication with their base camp due to heavy snowfall on October 28.

Autumn is typically a bustling season for trekkers and climbers in Nepal due to suitable weather and visibility. However, the risk of severe weather and avalanches persists. Cyclone Montha that recently hit the region has exacerbated the situation, leading to heavy rain and snowfall, leaving many stranded in the Himalayas.