Search for Missing Italians on Panpari Himal

Authorities in Nepal have launched a coordinated search and rescue mission for two Italian climbers who have been missing on Panpari Himal (6,887 m) since October 28, after being caught in heavy snowfall triggered by Cyclone Montha.

According to Nepal’s Department of Tourism (DoT), the missing climbers are Stefano Farronato and Alessandro Caputo, members of the Italian Panpari Q7 Expedition. The pair were last reported at Camp I, where they became stranded amid worsening weather and have since lost all contact.

“The Department of Tourism is continuously coordinating and facilitating the search and rescue operation with the concerned agencies and other authorities,” said Rakesh Banjade of the DoT in an official statement.

The expedition had been organized by Sherpa Alpine Trekking Service Pvt. Ltd. under permit number 102. The DoT confirmed that efforts are underway to gather any additional information from liaison officers, local authorities, and other teams in the area.

Rescue Teams Depart for Samagaun

On Monday morning, a rescue team of four climbers, including two IFMGA-certified mountain guides, left for Samagaun, a village in the Manaslu region, to begin the search operation. The Nepal National Mountain Guides Association (NNMGA) confirmed that Narendra “Naren” Shahi and Pasang Kaji Sherpa, both experienced IFMGA guides, have joined the mission along with aspirant guide Kusang Sherpa and Vatler Perlino, the expedition leader from the Italian team.

“Three mountain guides and the expedition leader have left for Samagaun of Gorkha for the search mission,” the NNMGA stated, noting that weather remains the biggest challenge.

Cyclone Montha Disrupts the Himalaya

Cyclone Montha, which swept in from India’s east coast earlier this week, has brought heavy snowfall, strong winds, and poor visibility across much of western and northern Nepal.
The storm disrupted flights, closed trekking routes, and delayed rescue operations across multiple Himalayan regions – including Manaslu, Annapurna, and Mustang. Conditions in western Nepal, where Panpari Himal lies, remain unstable, making helicopter rescue operations extremely difficult. However, there are early signs of improvement across central Nepal.

The Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) announced that the Manaslu trekking route, including the Larke Pass section, has officially reopened as weather begins to stabilize. According to TAAN, rainfall and snowfall have ceased in most of the Manaslu area, and around 400 trekkers and support staff departed Samdo for Dharamsala on Saturday, continuing toward the pass on Sunday.

TAAN has urged trekking companies to ensure that all groups travel with licensed guides and adequate support teams, move cautiously through landslide-prone sections such as Jagat, Philim, and Nyak, and stick to the main route as conditions continue to recover. This partial reopening marks a positive shift in overall weather conditions – a hopeful sign for rescue coordination efforts in nearby regions, including the Panpari Himal area.

Ongoing Efforts

Despite difficult conditions, rescue coordination between the Department of Tourism, NNMGA, and Sherpa Alpine Trekking Service continues. Authorities are hopeful that improving weather later in the week will allow helicopters and ground teams to reach the area.