Department of Tourism continues search and rescue operations for missing Sherpa guides on Mount Everest

KATHMANDU, April 14:Search and rescue operations are still on for people who went missing in an avalanche at the base of Mt Everest on April 12.

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

“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 Director General Hom Prasad Luitel.

The three identified as Dachhiri Sherpa, Pemba Tenjing Sherpa and Lakpa Rita Sherpa who were ferrying materials to construct and clear the route leading to the summit of the world’s tallest peak 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 the 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 are ongoing, said the Department. The construction of the trail up to camp 2 has been over, said the SPCC.

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

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