Everest Base Camp a ‘War Zone’ After Earthquake Triggers Avalanches

AZIM AFIF

AZIM AFIF

Members of an expedition from Malaysia’s  University of Technology survey the damage at Base Camp after earthquake sets off avalanches on Mount Everest. All five members of the Malaysian team survived.

Though the epicenter of the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal earlier today was roughly 150 miles from Mount Everest, powerful shocks wrought destruction throughout the Khumbu region, where climbing season is in full swing with dozens of expeditions deployed among several mountains.

NG MAPS SOURCE: U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

NG MAPS/U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

The quake triggered a massive avalanche that swept through Everest Base Camp. Initial reports say 18 people were killed with several seriously injured. Dozens of other climbers are stranded at camps farther up the mountain. (By Freddie Wilkinson)

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/2015/04/150425-everest-earthquake-basecamp-nepal-himalaya-climbing-sherpa/

Published on news.nationalgeographic.com
Freddie Wilkinson is a writer and climber based in New Hampshire.