More than 10 dead after avalanche on Mount Everest

KATMANDU, Nepal (AP):

Early this morning an avalanche swept down a climbing route on Mount Everest, killing at least 12 Nepalese guides and leaving four missing in the deadliest disaster on the world's highest peak.



Several more were injured.



The Sherpa guides had gone early in the morning to fix ropes for other climbers when the avalanche hit them at about 6:30 a.m., Nepal Tourism Ministry official Krishna Lamsal said from the base camp where he is monitoring rescue efforts.



An injured survivor told his relatives that the path up the mountain was unstable just before the avalanche.



As soon as the avalanche hit, rescuers, guides and climbers rushed to help.



Four survivors were injured badly enough to require airlifting to a hospital in Katmandu.



One arrived during the day, and three taken to the foothill town of Lukla could be evacuated Saturday.



Others with less serious injuries were being treated at base camp.



Rescue workers pulled out 12 bodies from under mounds of snow and ice and were searching for the four missing guides, Lamsal said.



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