KATHMANDU: A recovery team led by renowned climber Phurba Tenzing Sherpa today successfully retrieved five bodies of climbers who went missing in an avalanche on Yalung Ri peak nine months ago. 

Phurba Tenzing, who is also the Managing Director at Dreamers Destination Treks, said that all five bodies of climbers - three foreigners and two Nepalis - were retrieved this morning from 17,800ft on Yalung Ri.

Heli Everest chopper piloted by captains Priya Adhikari and Pastenji Sherpa along with Phurba Tenzing and local rescuer Baburam Thakuri collected the remains of climbers who were hit by massive avalanches while ascending Yalung Ri on November 3 last year.

“We have waited three days here in Rolwaling region for fair weather to collect bodies,” said Phurba Tenzing, adding that they have done it today during a short weather window.

All bodies have been collected and will be airlifted to Kathmandu once weather allows, said captain Pastenji.

The November 3 avalanche buried seven climbers, including five foreigners, while five others were injured. Italian-Canadian Marco Di Marcello, Italian Markus Kirchler, German Jakob Schreiber, and Nepali guides Padam Tamang and Mere Karki were reported missing. “Now all of them have been found dead,” said Phurba Tenzing.

The bodies of Italian climber Paolo Cocco and French national Christian Andre Manfredi were recovered on November 5, shortly after the avalanche.