12 killed in Everest disaster

A massive avalanche struck Mount Everest on Friday, killing at least 12 Nepalese Sherpa guides and injuring 10 others in the deadliest mountaineering accident on the world’s highest peak.

The avalanche occurred at around 6:45 am at an altitude of about 5,800 metres in an area known as the “popcorn field”, which lies on the route to the treacherous Khumbu icefall.“The bodies of 12 climbers were recovered from the accident site,” said Tilak Pandey, an official at Mountaineering Division of Nepal's Tourism Ministry.

“The avalanche hit the Nepalese Sherpa guides and climbers as they were heading towards Camp I from the Base Camp of the Everest,” he added. “There were around 15 climbers from six different expeditions, including Alpine Ascent and Summit Nepal, when the avalanche swept them away,” he said.

Four people were missing and 10 others, including three seriously, were injured in the accident, said officials.

The local guides had climbed up the slope early on Friday the morning to fix ropes for climbers and prepare the route for mountaineers when the avalanche hit, they said.

The Himalayan Rescue Association, along with the Nepal Army, Armed Police Force personnel and mountain guides, carried out the rescue operation at the site, said the Nepal Trekking Association.

The injured climbers were brought to the base camp and three who were in a serious condition were airlifted to Kathmandu. The Nepal government has announced a compensation of Nepali Rupees 40,000 to the relatives of the deceased.