Kathmandu—The Himalayas are once again the scene of tragedy. Five Italian climbers lost their lives in Nepal in two separate accidents between Friday and Monday, caused by violent snowstorms and an avalanche that swept away climbing groups attempting to ascend Yalung Ri, a 5.630-meter peak in eastern Nepal. Nine people have died in total, including a Frenchman, a German, and two Nepalese guides.
According to local authorities, the first avalanche struck Monday morning at a base camp located over 5,000 meters above sea level. Twelve people were climbing when a mass of snow and ice suddenly broke loose, engulfing the group and instantly destroying their tents and equipment.
Didier Berton, a 61-year-old French mountaineer hospitalized at the Era International Hospital in Kathmandu, recounts the moments of terror:
"We heard a dull sound, like thunder. Then the ice sheets collapsed and we were trapped. Only those highest up managed to jump over a five-meter rock face and save themselves."
Berton, who suffered broken ribs, managed to free an injured guide by digging with his ice axe. But not everyone made it:
“We lost Christian… we couldn’t save him,” she said in a broken voice.
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The Italian victims
Among the confirmed victims are Alessandro Caputo and Stefano Farronato, expert Italian mountaineers who left for Nepal in October with a mixed group of European climbers. Both were well-known in mountaineering circles for their experience on extreme rock faces and for participating in international expeditions.
Their bodies, along with those of the other climbers, were located on the eastern side of Yalung Ri by a rescue team led by Phurba Tenjing Sherpa, of the Dreamers Destination agency, which organized the expedition.
"I saw all seven bodies," Tenjing said. "The recovery operations are very difficult due to the bad weather and the constant snowfall."
Two accidents in a few days
The death toll of five Italians in the Himalayas stems from two separate accidents: in addition to the tragedy on Yalung Ri, other Italians were caught in a second avalanche in the Dolakha district, where two French and two Nepalese climbers were rescued Tuesday morning. The nationality of a fifth survivor has not yet been released.
Weather conditions remain severe throughout the region, with blizzards and freezing temperatures hampering rescue efforts. Nepalese authorities have temporarily suspended several high-altitude expeditions, while European embassies in Kathmandu are providing assistance to the victims' families.
An increasingly dangerous Himalaya
In recent years, rising temperatures and climate instability have made Nepal's mountains more unpredictable. Avalanches are more frequent, even during times of year traditionally considered safe. The recent tragedy, which involved experienced and well-equipped climbers, reminds us that the world's highest mountain remains an extreme place, where every step can become a life-or-death experience.
Comments (1)
Reading the article, one understands that the situation in the Himalayas is very serious and the weather conditions have worsened. It is sad to know that expert climbers have lost their lives in such tragic and unexpected accidents.