Grim conditions amid multiple disasters
Seven Italian mountaineers remain unaccounted for in Nepal following a series of avalanches and heavy snowfall this week, authorities confirmed. The incidents have left at least nine climbers dead so far.
Nepal’s foreign ministry said three Italian climbers have been confirmed dead — but crucially, “there remains no news of seven other Italian nationals” who are missing.
Where the tragedy struck
The most severely affected area is Mount Yalung Ri (5,600 m) in the Dolakha district, where an avalanche on 3 November swept through a base camp at around 4,900 m altitude, killing five foreign climbers and two Nepali guides. In addition, two Italian climbers were found dead on a separate peak, Panbari Himal (6,887 m) in western Nepal, after becoming trapped in a snowstorm.
What the Italian authorities say
Italy’s Foreign Affairs Ministry stated:
There remains no news of seven other Italian nationals, including Marco Di Marcello and Markus Kircheler. A team of Italian consular officials has arrived in Kathmandu to coordinate with local authorities and rescue teams.
Why rescue efforts are hampered
Officials say that unseasonal heavy snow and deteriorating weather conditions — triggered by Cyclone Montha — have increased avalanche risk and slowed rescue operations. Locating missing climbers under deep snow and debris is extremely difficult; in some places, snowpack is reported to be 6 metres thick.
The mountaineering season turns tragic
This autumn season has become Nepal’s deadliest in recent years for climbers. At least 12 people have died across multiple peaks in avalanches and snowstorms. Climbing experts warn that many peaks considered “easier” are now far more dangerous due to changing weather patterns and earlier than usual snowfall.
What families and the public should watch
- Whether any sign of the missing Italians emerges via GPS, satellite or visual search.
- The decision on when (and whether) to suspend search operations given risks to rescue teams.
- The support offered to families by the Italian government and Nepali authorities.
- Long‑term implications for climbing safety and winter‑season protocols in the Himalayas.
The takeaway
The disappearance of seven Italian climbers in Nepal underscores the extreme hazards posed by high‑altitude mountaineering — even off the world’s highest peaks. Against a backdrop of worsening weather and avalanches, the risk is elevated. Rescue and recovery are now fraught with difficulty, and the hearts of families and the global climbing community remain with those still missing.
