Key Takeaways:
- Bodies spotted at 5,000m after ice melted at avalanche site
- Helicopter recovery halted due to deteriorating weather conditions
- Avalanche on Nov 3, 2025 buried seven climbers; five remained missing
- Families hope discovery will bring closure after months of uncertainty
Bodies have reportedly been spotted at around 5,000 metres on Yalung Ri in Dolakha's Rolwaling region, nearly nine months after an avalanche buried seven climbers on the 5,630-metre peak.
Local workers who reached the Yalung Ri base camp on Thursday reportedly spotted human remains after melting ice exposed parts of the avalanche site. They had travelled to the area at the request of expedition organisers and families of the missing climbers.
A helicopter carrying police personnel reached the base camp to recover the remains but was forced to return without them due to deteriorating weather conditions. Police said the identities of the remains have not yet been established.
Authorities have authorised another helicopter flight to Yalung Ri to retrieve the remains once weather conditions improve.
The remains are believed to be those of climbers who went missing after an avalanche on November 3 last year, although their identities have yet to be confirmed.
Seven climbers, including five foreigners, were caught in the avalanche while ascending Yalung Ri. The bodies of Italian climber Paolo Cocco and French national Christian Andre Manfredi were recovered shortly after the accident, while five others remained buried beneath the ice.
Read More: Yalung Ri avalanche: Search ended, five climbers remain buried beneath ice
The missing climbers were Italian-Canadian Marco Di Marcello, Italian Markus Kirchler, German Jakob Schreiber and Nepali guides Padam Tamang and Mere Karki.
The search operation was suspended in November after hardened snow made further excavation impossible. Authorities had planned to resume the search once the ice melted.
The latest discovery has raised hopes that the remains of the missing climbers can finally be recovered and their families given closure.
