Mount Everest deaths from the avalanche Friday, April 18 reached 9 people already. Meanwhile, those who survived the avalanche and weren't included in the Mount Everest deaths are a seriously injured 3 and 9 people missing.
According to Nepal tourism ministry official Krishna Lamsal on Friday, the Mount Everest deaths were amongst 9 Sherpa guides who encountered a high-altitude avalanche early in the morning around 630 a.m. as they were fixing the ropes for hundreds of climbers. The number of missing people was not immediately reported but as of the moment, there are 9. Lamsal spoke from the base camp and is currently monitoring the rescue efforts for the Mount Everest deaths.
The Mount Everest deaths of the people who got caught up in the avalanche were a group of 50, mostly composed of Nepali Sherpas. According to Tilak Ram Pandey with the mountaineering department of the tourism ministry, the group was struck by the avalanche just above base camp in the Khumbu Ice Fall at more than 20,000 feet.
Pandey added that the climbers from the Mount Everest deaths were accounted for saying, "Rescue teams have gone ... to look for the missing."
As soon as the avalanche hit and caused the Mount Everest deaths, rescuers and fellow climbers rushed to help the search and rescue mission. A helicopter from Kathmandu was also sent. The area where the avalanche hit and caused the Mount Everest deaths of 9 Friday is nicknamed the "popcorn field, said Ang Tshering of the Nepal Mountaineering Association.
The ethnic Sherpas involved in the Mount Everest deaths acts as guides for the mostly-foreign clients who climb the majestic mountainb.
According to Janow, prior to the Mount Everest deaths, climbers and guides had already been placing the ropes for the route and preparing the camps along the route. Climbers generally arrive at Mount Everest in April to acclimate to the altitude before going to the summit of the mountain.
The spring climbing season is the busiest of the year for Mount Everest. According to mountaineering official Dipendra Poudel, prior to the Mount Everest deaths, around 334 foreign climbers have already been given permission to climb the world's highest summit. Over 400 Sherpas are to help these climbers attain their climbing goals on the mountain.
Mount Everest deaths have been a common occurrence before the late 1970's when people attempting to reach the mountain's summit die in their attempts to climb it. In 1953, the summit was conquered by New Zealanders Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. By 1993, the number topped 100 for the first time and on 2004, the number reached more than 300. 2012, people who reached the top was more than 500. The deadliest year was 1996, when 15 people died.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
