Seven Italian citizens are missing in Nepal after an expedition to a Himalayan peak in the country's north-east. This development follows the confirmed deaths of three other Italian climbers this week. Avalanches and storms have impacted the region, prompting coordination efforts between Italian and Nepalese authorities for search and rescue operations.
Missing Climbers and Fatalities
Seven Italian citizens are currently unaccounted for in Nepal. Officials reported that the Italian team was at the base camp of Dolma Khang peak, situated at an elevation of 6,332m (20,774ft) in the Dolakha district.
Three other Italian climbers have been confirmed deceased this week. One of these fatalities occurred in an avalanche that struck near Dolma Khang on Monday. On Wednesday, Rome's foreign ministry confirmed the deaths of three Italian climbers and stated that seven other Italian nationals remain missing, including Marco Di Marcello and Markus Kircheler. Both Mr. Marcello and Mr. Kircheler were reportedly in the Yalung Ri area, where Monday's avalanche occurred. Italian Paolo Cocco was identified among seven climbers confirmed to have died near the Yalung Ri base camp.
Search and Coordination Efforts
A senior Italian diplomat from India has arrived in Kathmandu to coordinate with Nepalese authorities and search teams.
On Tuesday, Mr. Marcello's family informed Italy's Ansa news agency that his satellite radio signal continued to update and appeared to indicate movement. Ram Krishna Lamichhane, a Nepali tourism official, informed the BBC that rescue teams are searching the base camp at Dolma Khang peak, which was affected by an avalanche. Mr. Lamichhane stated that, according to available information, five individuals—three foreign climbers and two Nepali guides—are missing in the Dolma Khang base camp area.
Regional Conditions and Reporting Discrepancies
Avalanches and severe storms have occurred in Nepal during the past week, resulting in fatalities and injuries among climbers and their local guides.
Reports regarding the exact number of dead and missing climbers in the area, as well as their nationalities, have varied in recent days. Mr. Lamichhane also noted that authorities are coordinating with the trekking agency that organized the Dolma Khang expedition to gather further details on the missing individuals.