Nepal Earthquake: Everest Death Toll Reaches 18

© Scott_M@c

As widely reported in the mainstream media, an earthquake measuring 7.8 on the Richter scale has hit Nepal, causing devastation in Bangladesh, India, Tibet, and on Mount Everest, where avalanches were triggered. A 6.7 magnitude aftershock between Everest and Kathmandu has also caused further destruction.

A chilly night at Everest Base Camp.  © ScottMackenzie
A chilly night at Everest Base Camp.
© ScottMackenzie, Apr 2014

The latest reports indicate that more than 3,600 people have lost their lives, with this figure expected to rise as the search and rescue operation continues. This is the strongest earthquake to hit the country since an 8.2-magnitude earthquake struck in 1934.

In what is the busiest period of the year on Mount Everest, at least 18 people are believed to have been killed, and 61 injured, by an avalanche triggered on Pumori which wiped out the Base Camp. More than 200 climbers have been rescued as the weather cleared and allowed for helicopter access to the mountain, yet many remain missing.

This is the single biggest loss of life on Mount Everest ever recorded, exceeding the 16 Sherpas killed last year on the Khumbu Icefall due to a serac collapse.

More information:

BBC News

Watch a video of the moment the avalanche swept through Everest Base Camp below.

 


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27 Apr, 2015
Such terrible news! So sad to see the deaths around the country in Nepal and in the region. There are climbers on other mountains as well, such as reported 40 stranded (unverified) at Makalu ABC. Makes me wonder about smaller expedition groups too dotted around the Himalayas. On Twitter about Makalu: NorthmenPK: #Makalu 40 climbers still stranded on Advance Base camp 5700 m. (photo @ferranlatorre) #NepalQuake http://t.co/lL4D3RxtFe On Everest, some friends have been choppered out of C1 today back to BC, at 2 people per flight from the reported 100+ group above the icefall.
27 Apr, 2015
Indeed terrible news - a devastating loss of life in the country and impact on Nepalese communities, aside from the mountaineering impact. The Jagged Globe website seems to be doing regular updates concerning Everest base camp.
27 Apr, 2015
I do wonder about about choppering everyone out from C1. Fine if they are injured or deteriorating but surely a priority at present would be getting copters to remote villages where people have life threatening injuries and no way of getting to hospital. How long could aclimatised uninjured climbers stay up there with food/water drops occuring when deteriorating climbers need to be taken out?
27 Apr, 2015
I'd had similar thoughts. Wouldn't a few drops of food and water be more suitable until those injured elsewhere have been dealt with?
27 Apr, 2015
I was talking with someone about this earlier. Their suggestion was that it might be the case that the Nepalese authorities would veer towards rescuing the nice rich Western climbers, with their insurance policies, rather than poor farmers out in the sticks. This would result in: 1. Payouts by the insurers 2. Potential future climbers/trekkers being reassured that if they got into trouble, they would be first on the list to be rescued, thus protecting future revenues. I would be interested to hear what others think about this standpoint.
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