Three Nepali Sherpas have been reported missing on Mount Everest after being buried in an avalanche on Wednesday, according to officials. The avalanche hit the Southeast Ridge route that many climbers take to reach the top of Mount Everest. Three guides who were carrying equipment for the climbers were caught in the avalanche while they were between two camps, called the Base Camp and Camp I.
The incident took place around 9.30 am on Wednesday. As per reports, a team of 25 guides was ascending the Khumbu Icefall to prepare the route from Camp 2 to the Everest summit. According to Yubaraj Khatiwada, an official from the Tourism Department, a search helicopter had been deployed to look for the missing sherpas earlier in the day, but they were eventually confirmed dead.
The guides were buried under the ice masses in the Khumbu Icefall.
-Norbu Sherpa , rescue specialist
The path to the top of Mount Everest, known as the Khumbu Icefall, is considered extremely hazardous. Even experienced Sherpas avoid crossing it after sunrise. To reduce the danger, climbers typically navigate the icefall at night or in the early morning before sunrise, using headlamps. Sherpas usually choose to cross this area between 3 am and 5 am, when the ice blocks and hanging glaciers are more stable and the risk of an avalanche is lower. This incident marks the first disaster on Mount Everest during this year’s climbing season.
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