Mount Everest avalanche kills nine, several missing

A group of about 50 people, mostly Nepali Sherpas, were hit by a after a high-altitude avalanche on Mt. Everest at more than 20,000 feet. The avalanche took place just above base camp in the

Khumbu Ice Fall. According to the authorities, nine Sherpa guides were killed and three others were seriously injured. As soon as the avalanche hit, rescuers and fellow climbers rushed to help. A helicopter was also sent from Kathmandu. Four bodies have been recovered and rescuers were digging two more out of the snow.

Nepal announced several steps this year to manage the flow of climbers, minimise congestion and speed up rescue operations on the mountain. The preparations included the dispatch of officials and security personnel to the base camp at 5,300m, where they would stay throughout the spring climbing season that ends in May.

More than 4,000 climbers have scaled the summit since 1953, when it was first conquered by New Zealander Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay. Hundreds of others have died in the attempt.

The best time to trek at 29,028 foot peak is from May 15 to 30^th. Some 334 foreign climbers have been given permission to climb Everest over the next couple of months, with an estimated 400 Sherpas helping them.