介绍:
Heavy snowfall in Mt. Qomolangma hampers search for 9 Sherpa climbers
Disaster has struck on the world's higest mountain ahead of this year's climbing season.
At least 13 people are dead and a number of others missing after an avalanche hit this morning on Mount Qomalangma, otherwise known as Mount Everest.
The avalanche on the Nepalese side of the mountain hit while a group of around 50-people, mostly Nepalese sherpas, were doing the technical preparations for this year's climbing season, which is set to begin next week.
Madhu Sudhan Burlakoti is with Nepal's Tourism Ministry.
"An avalanche swept the area near Camp 1 at 5,800 meters this morning where Nepalese guides and their team leaders were. As soon as we heard about the avalanche, the tourism ministry and the officials at the base camp responded immediately. Three helicopters with rescuers and medical workers were rushed to the scene."
On top of the reported 13 dead, at least 10 others may be missing.
However, there have been conflicting reports about how many people were caught up in the slide.
Bad weather conditions are said to be hampering the search.
This morning's avalance is already being touted as the worst disaster in the history of climbing on the mountain, which borders both Nepal and China.
Qomalangma, as the world's highest mountain, is one of the most popular destinations in the world for climbers.
It's also one of the world's most dangerous, as rescues are hampered by the altitude of the climbing area, which runs from around 6 to 88-hundred meters above sea-level.
Around 4-thousand climbers have reached the summit.
Over 200 have died while trying to make the attempt.
Some of their bodies have never been retrieved.
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