Two Sherpa climbers die in avalanche on Mt. Pumori; more casualties feared

Two Sherpa climbers died in an avalanche on Mount Pumori on Saturday while there might be few more casualties on the peak, officials at the Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation said Monday.

Ang Jabu Sherpa, 33 of Okhaldhunga and Phurba Thundu Sherpa, 21 of Dolakha, both members of the Latonia International Pumori Expedition 2006, were killed in an avalanche while climbing the 7161m high peak.

Talking to Nepalnews, Narayan Acharya, an official at the Tourism Industry General Department under the tourism ministry, said the local agency coordinating the expedition has informed that two Sherpa guides died in the avalanche. “Few more casualties are likely as detailed information is yet to come. Two liaison officials accompanying the climbers have not reported back yet,” he said.

“We are trying to contact the liaison officers as well as the expedition members but we haven’t been able to,” he added. It was the only expedition to Mount Pumori at the time of the mishap while one expedition left for Khumbu on Sunday, according to Archarya.

The 10-member expedition is led by Italian climber, Christian Denicolo. nepalnews.com mk Oct 16 06