Getty ImagesKathryn Armstrong and
Diwakar Pyakurel & Phanindra Dahal,BBC Nepali in Kathmandu
At least three climbers, including a French national and two Nepalese people, have died after falling down a ridge on a Himalayan peak in northeastern Nepal, police said.
The incident occurred at 09:00 Local Time (03:15 GMT) on Monday near the base camp of Yalung ri mountain in Dolakha District.
A further four climbers – two Italians, a German and a Canadian – are feared dead but the search for them continues. The dead and missing were part of a group of 12 trekkers and local guides who were passing through an hour before the police attack, the police chief told the BBC.
Five Nepali guides who returned to base camp were injured but not critically.
“Three bodies were found and the rescue team had to find four more,” Local Deputy Superintendent of Police Gyan Matiho told the BBC.
It is not clear whether the others confirmed dead, who are both Nepali, were working with the group or climbed on their own.
Mr. Maito explained that a rescue helicopter arrived on Monday in the Na Gaun Area of Dolakha – a five-hour walk from the YELUNG RI BASE camp.
Efforts to find those still missing have been hampered by bad weather and logistical issues, according to local media reports.
In fact, attempts to rescue two Italian hikers who went missing while trying to scale PANBARI mountain in western Nepal are ongoing.
Stefano Faratonato and Alessandro Caputo were part of a three-man group that got stranded with three local guides last week. The third member of the group, named by Media Taho as Velter Perlino, 65, has since been rescued.
Autumn is a popular season for trekkers and mountaineers in Nepal as the weather conditions and visibility are excellent. However, the risk of severe weather and surges remains.
Last week, cyclone Montha triggered heavy rain and snowfall in Nepal, people in the Himalayas should be prepared.
Two Britons and an Irish woman were among a group that had to be rescued after being trapped for days in the Western Sonsang region.
The severe weather also left Hundreds of hikers stranded near Mount Everest last October.