KATHMANDU, Nov 5, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Seven Italian climbers are missing in Nepal's snowbound Himalayan mountains, officials said Wednesday, after days of ferocious storms and an avalanche that have killed nine people.

Of the nine confirmed dead since Friday -- separate from those reported missing -- three were Italians.

Rome's foreign ministry said in a statement that "local authorities have so far confirmed the deaths of three Italian climbers... there is no news of seven other Italians."

Communications have been cut off in remote valleys due to the heavy storms.

Himal Gautam, director of Nepal's Tourism Department, said there was no immediate information about the seven reported missing.

He said that Nepali authorities would have had their records if they were mountaineers undertaking a technical climb, suggesting the missing were on a trek.

The Italian statement said that "in recent days, several areas of the Nepali Himalayas have been hit by a series of avalanches, which have swept away many climbers, including some Italians."

"Communication between authorities, rescue operations leaders, and the diplomatic representatives of the various countries involved remains difficult."

On Monday, an avalanche hit a group of 12 people at the base camp of 5,630-metre (18,471-foot) Yalung Ri peak, in central Nepal near the border with China.

Seven people died, including three Italians, two Nepalis, a German and a French climber.

Survivors recounted to AFP how "slabs" of ice smashed into the group as they clung on the mountain, burying some under the snow.

On Friday, in western Nepal, contact was lost with two Italian climbers, who were later confirmed to have died while attempting to scale the 6,887-metre (22,595-foot) Panbari mountain.

Home to eight of the world's 10 highest peaks, including Mount Everest, Nepal welcomes hundreds of climbers and trekkers every year.

Last week, Cyclone Montha triggered heavy rain and snowfall across Nepal, leaving trekkers and tourists stranded on popular Himalayan trekking routes.