Italy has officially reported that seven of its citizens are unaccounted for in Nepal following their attempt to ascend a Himalayan peak. The climbers were at the base camp of Dolma Khang peak, which rises to an elevation of 6,332m (20,774ft) in Dolakha district.
Tragically, three other Italian climbers have also been confirmed dead, victims of an avalanche that occurred in close proximity to Dolma Khang earlier this week. A senior diplomat from Italy has already arrived in Kathmandu to work in conjunction with Nepalese authorities for search and rescue operations.
Nepal's recent weather patterns have been extreme, with avalanches and violent storms causing multiple fatalities and injuries among climbers and local guides. The foreign ministry of Italy confirmed the deaths of three climbers, whilst the fate of the seven others remains unknown, with names including Marco Di Marcello and Markus Kircheler among them.
Despite setbacks, rescue efforts are being coordinated with local trekking agencies to gather more information about the missing individuals. Concerns remain high regarding the perilous conditions that climbers face in such unpredictable weather.
Accompanying the report on Italian climbers, three Italian individuals who were part of another expedition to Panbari peak were also declared missing amidst the tumultuous conditions triggered by Cyclone Montha, which swept across Nepal.
