GORKHA: The bodies of two Italian climbers who had been missing for the past five days in Pangbari Mountain, Gorkha, have been recovered.

According to Rajkumar Shrestha, Information Officer and Deputy Superintendent of Police at the District Police Office, the bodies of 67-year-old Stefano Farinato and 37-year-old Alessandro Gaputo were found at the first camp of Pangbari Mountain.

Both climbers were discovered covered in snow. The bodies were transported to Samagaun by helicopter. On the return journey from Pangbari Mountain, three other Italian citizens and one Nepali assistant had been stranded at the first and base camps since last Wednesday.

Farinato and Gaputo reportedly became stranded due to snowfall while attempting to descend after being unable to complete the climb.

Among those stranded, 65-year-old Italian climber Welter Parlino was rescued by helicopter on last Sunday, Shrestha said.

Along with him, Nepali citizens Pemba Renji Sherpa, Dawa Chhiri Sherpa, and Pasang Tamang were also rescued by helicopter on the same day and sent to Kathmandu for medical treatment.