Search, rescue efforts on for missing Sherpa guides on Mt Everest: Department of Tourism

KATHMANDU, April 13: Search and rescue efforts are ongoing for those who have gone missing in an avalanche on the foot of Mt Everest on April 12. 

Three Sherpa guides have gone missing after an avalanche buried them in a crevasse. The air and land search and rescue operations have continued in coordination with the local administration, Mount Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee (SPCC), Himalayan Rescue Association, Imagine Nepal Trek and Expedition and Expedition Operators Association Nepal, according to a statement issued by the Department of Tourism. 

"It increasingly becomes difficult to search and rescue those buried in an avalanche. We are yet to get additional details about their whereabouts. The department is searching for them in coordination with the stakeholders," said the Department’s Director General Hom Prasad Luitel. 

The three missing Sherpas have been identified as Dachhiri Sherpa, Pemba Tenjing Sherpa and Lakpa Rita Sherpa who were ferrying materials to build and clear the route leading to the summit of the world's tallest peak. They were caught in the avalanche at the Dam of Icefall area between the base camp and camp 1, it has been said. Three of them from Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality-5 were deployed from Imagine Nepal Trek and Expedition Pvt Ltd. 

With the onset of the spring season, the construction and clearance of the climbing route leading to Mount Everest is ongoing, said the Department. The construction of the trail up to Camp 2 has been over, said the SPCC. 

Imagine Nepal Trek and Expedition has undertaken rope fixing at the upper part of Camp 2. 

So far, a total of 197 climbers of 20 groups (31 women and 166 men) have taken permission to scale Mount Everest in this spring season, according to the Department.

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