22 dead in avalanche

At least 22 climbers have died near the base camp of Mt Everest where hundreds of climbers, including many foreigners, are stranded after an avalanche triggered by Nepal’s massive earthquake slammed into a part of the camp on the world’s highest peak.

More than 60 climbers were injured and hundreds of foreign adventurers, hikers and guides at the base camp were feared missing when the avalanche swept down the Everest and buried under snow a section of the mountaineering camp on Saturday.

While 17 people were killed at the base camp, five more casualties were reported on Sunday from areas below the base camp, Home Ministry officials said.

“Tents have been blown away,” Gelu Sherpa, who was at the camp when disaster struck, said, adding, “There is a lot of confusion on the mountain and the toll will rise.”