Nine people, including five Italian climbers, were killed in avalanches and snowstorms that hit Nepal's Himalayan peaks . Authorities reported the deaths in two separate incidents.
On Monday, an avalanche struck a group of 12 people at the base camp of Yalung Ri Peak, at 5,630 meters, in central Nepal. Seven people died in the disaster, including three Italians, two Nepalese, a German, and a French climber , Phurba Tenjing Sherpa of the expedition organizer Dreamers Destination told AFP. The Sherpa claimed to have "seen all seven bodies," but so far only one has been found . The rest of the group was rescued and airlifted to the capital, Kathmandu.
In a previous incident in western Nepal, two other Italian climbers died while attempting to scale Mount Panbari, 6,887 meters (22,000 feet) . The two men had been out of contact since Friday. The Italian Foreign Ministry identified them today as Alessandro Caputo, a 28-year-old from Milan, and Stefano Farronato, a 51-year-old from Bassano del Grappa . They were found dead in their tent, still in their sleeping bags. They were buried under three meters of snow.
The body of Paolo Cocco, a photographer from Abruzzo who was attempting to climb Dolma Khang , was found today. The mayor of Fara San Martino, where Cocco had also served as deputy mayor, reported the discovery. The other two Italians, Markus Kirchler and Marco Di Marcello, 37, a biologist and mountain guide, are still missing . Although organizers said they had seen all the bodies, Di Marcello's family is still hopeful.
Another Italian, who was on the expedition with Caputo and Farronato, has been rescued. Valter Perlino, a 64-year-old mountaineer from Pinerolo (Turin) , expedition leader of the group that was supposed to climb Mount Panbari (6,887 meters) these days, had remained at base camp due to a foot problem, while the others had ascended higher. "He was supposed to join his companions in the following days, but the foot problem and the arrival of the storm two days early disrupted his plans," his wife said. He raised the alarm on Monday and yesterday took part in the search operation with local authorities .
(Unioneonline/L)
