Four Rescued After Avalanche at Yalung Ri, Several Still Missing
Four climbers have been rescued following an avalanche on Yalung Ri, part of the Rolwaling Himalayan range, while several others remain missing. The incident occurred during a mountaineering expedition, and the rescue operation was launched on Tuesday morning from the Yalung Ri base camp.
According to Dolakha Police Chief Gyan Kumar Mahato, the rescued individuals were airlifted from the base camp by Everest Air helicopters and are being prepared for transfer to Kathmandu for medical treatment. Among the injured, the identity of one climber, Nima Gyaljen Sherpa, has been confirmed. The identities of those who died in the avalanche, five foreign climbers and two Nepalese, are yet to be officially verified.
The expedition team had a total of 12 members, comprising both Nepalese and foreign climbers. The avalanche struck at approximately 9:00 AM on Monday at an altitude of 5,630 meters, near the summit. Early reports indicate that the team was overtaken while ascending, with five foreign climbers and ten Nepali guides in the affected area.
Poor weather conditions on Monday hampered helicopter rescue efforts. Once the weather improved on Tuesday morning, the rescue operation resumed with helicopters stationed near the village. A combined security team, including the Nepal Army, Armed Police, and local police, is advancing toward the site on foot, although the journey is expected to take up to two days due to the difficult terrain.
Mingma Sherpa from Seven Summit guided the search and rescue operation, with the joint security force coordinating on-site efforts. The area’s lack of communication infrastructure has made timely updates difficult.
Among the missing is Furba Tenzing Sherpa, a highly accomplished climber from Gaurishankar Rural Municipality in Dolakha. He has successfully summited Mount Everest 15 times and previously set a Guinness World Record by summiting Everest nine times by the age of 24. His current status remains unknown.
The Dolma Khang Expedition Company had organized the climb, which included three foreign climbers, five Nepali guides, and six local guides. Authorities are working to verify the identities of the missing and deceased climbers, as official documentation with local administration was limited.
As of Tuesday morning, three climbers have been confirmed dead, four rescued, and seven are still missing. Search and rescue operations continue under challenging conditions, with the safety of the team and proper identification of victims remaining the top priorities.
