26 Apr 2015 @ 15:10
Climbers on the world’s highest mountain pleaded for help yesterday after a massive earthquake triggered an avalanche at Everest base camp, killing at least 10 people and sparking panic. Base camp was crowded with foreign mountaineers and their sherpa teams at the start at the climbing season when the avalanche hit, destroying camps and sending slabs of ice crashing in what was described as a huge disaster.
Ten people were confirmed dead on the mountain and rescue efforts were underway but heavy snow was preventing helicopters from reaching climbers, an official said. There might be over 1,000 people there right now, including foreign climbers and Nepalese supporting staffs. A Singapore team, comprising four members, at the base camp said they are safe. The avalanche and earthquake come just one year after a disaster on Everest killed 16 guides and triggered an unprecedented shut down of the 8,848 metre peak.
