Earthquake: 8 killed in Mount Everest avalanche

Kathmandu, April 25: At least eight persons were killed after the devastating earthquake in Nepal triggered a massive avalanche near the base camp of Mount Everest. [Follow updates on Nepal earthquake]

Sources in Nepal tourism industry said the base camp was also buried in the avalanche and the toll could go up. The dead might include foreigners as well as local sherpas.

Romanian mountaineer Alex Gavan had tweeted about the panic that was triggered by the avalanche. He said though he was unhurt, but many were up the mountain.

Another climber from an European team said his tent started rocking and moving as the earthquake hit the region. He said huge boulders started breaking around them from the side of the mountain. He thanked his stars that he and his team were not on Nepal's side.

Sources in the Nepal Mountaineering Association said the avalanche apparently took place between the Khumbu Icefall and the base camp.

Ten mountaineers from Bengal were not affected, said Bengali news channels.

Almost 700 people were killed in Nepal in the earthquake that measured 7.9 on the Richter Scale and the toll is expected to rise more.

Oneindia News