KATMANDU, Nepal - Officials say six died and 9 are missing after an avalanche swept the slopes of Mount Everest and hit a route used to ascend the world’s highest peak.
Nepal Tourism Ministry official Madhu Sudan Burlakoti said the avalanche hit the area just below Camp 2 about 6:30 a.m. today.
Rescuers and fellow climbers at the base camp are heading to the area to help. A helicopter is on the way from Katmandu.
Ang Tshering of the Nepal Mountaineering Association said four or five climbers are believed to have been buried and more injured by the avalanche.
Hundreds of climbers, their guides and support guides have gathered at the base camp, gearing up for their final attempt to scale the 29,035-foot peak early next month when weather conditions get favorable.
Front Section, Pages 2 on 04/18/2014