A devastating avalanche in Nepal’s Himalayan region has left seven Italian climbers missing and three confirmed dead, according to Italian and Nepalese authorities. The incident occurred near the Dolma Khang peak, which stands at 6,332 meters (20,774 feet) in the Dolakha district. The Italian team was stationed at the base camp when the avalanche struck earlier this week, claiming the lives of three climbers. Among the missing are Marco Di Marcello and Markus Kircheler, who were reportedly in the Yalung Ri area, where the avalanche hit. Italian diplomat Paolo Cocco was among the seven climbers confirmed dead near the Yalung Ri base camp. The Italian foreign ministry has dispatched a senior diplomat from neighboring India to Kathmandu to coordinate with Nepalese authorities and search teams. Nepal has been grappling with severe weather conditions, including avalanches and storms, which have disrupted climbing expeditions and claimed lives. Ram Krishna Lamichhane, a Nepali tourism official, stated that five individuals, including three foreign climbers and two Nepali guides, are missing in the Dolma Khang base camp area. Conflicting reports have emerged regarding the number of casualties and missing persons, complicating rescue efforts. The Italian climbers were part of an expedition organized by a trekking agency, which is now assisting in the search. In a separate incident, the bodies of Stefano Farronato and Alessandro Caputo, who went missing while attempting to scale the Panbari peak in western Nepal, have been recovered. Autumn is typically a popular season for mountaineering in Nepal due to favorable weather conditions, but the risk of avalanches and severe weather remains high. Last week, Cyclone Montha brought heavy rain and snowfall, stranding climbers in the Himalayas.