NewKerala.com

Serac Collapse Injures Indian Mountaineer and Sherpa Guide on Everest

A serac collapse on the Khumbu Icefall of Mt. Everest injured an Indian mountaineer and a Sherpa guide early Tuesday morning. The victims, Nimish Kumar Singh and Pembha Tenduk Sherpa, were struck by falling ice while heading towards Camp I during acclimatisation. They were promptly rescued and airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment, where they are now in stable condition. The incident highlights the ongoing risks on Everest, which has seen 464 climbers granted permits this season.

Key Points: Everest Serac Collapse Injures Mountaineer, Sherpa

  • Serac collapse hits Khumbu Icefall climbing route
  • Indian mountaineer and Sherpa guide injured
  • Prompt rescue and helicopter evacuation to Kathmandu
  • Both victims stable and undergoing treatment
  • 464 climbers permitted on Everest this season
2 min read

Serac collapse injures Sherpa guide, Indian mountaineer on Everest climb

A serac collapse on Mt. Everest's Khumbu Icefall injured Indian climber Nimish Kumar Singh and Sherpa guide Pembha Tenduk Sherpa. Both are stable after rescue.

"Their condition is stable and they are out of danger. - Nepal's Department of Tourism"

Kathmandu, May 5

Two climbers -- an Indian mountaineer and a Sherpa guide -- were injured early Tuesday morning after a serac collapse along the Khumbu Icefall route on Mt. Everest hit them, Nepal's Department of Tourism said.

The injured have been identified as Nimish Kumar Singh, 40, from India, and Pembha Tenduk Sherpa, 44, a mountain guide from Nepal.

According to the department, the incident occurred at around 5:45 a.m. when a serac collapse caused falling ice to reach the main climbing route, striking members of the expedition team.

A serac is a large, unstable block or pinnacle of glacial ice, often formed by intersecting crevasses on a glacier's surface or on steep icefalls.

At the time of the incident, permit-holding climbers and Sherpa guides from multiple expedition agencies were heading toward Camp I from Camp II via the Khumbu Icefall as part of the acclimatisation process. They had earlier reached Camp II after ascending from Everest Base Camp.

The Khumbu Icefall, one of the most hazardous sections of the Everest climbing route, is known for frequent ice shifts and serac collapses, particularly during the early climbing season.

Immediately after the incident, a team of Sherpa guides from Pioneer Adventure Pvt. Ltd. and Summit Force Expedition carried out a prompt rescue and informed officials stationed at Everest Base Camp.

From the base camp, a team from Seven Summit Trek Pvt. Ltd. quickly coordinated a helicopter evacuation. At around 6:30 a.m., a helicopter arrived at the incident site from Lukla airport near Mt. Everest and airlifted the injured to Kathmandu for treatment.

Both individuals were taken to HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu, where they are undergoing treatment, the department said, adding: "Their condition is stable and they are out of danger."

Nepal has attracted a large number of mountaineers this spring season, particularly those attempting to climb Mt. Everest, despite the government raising the royalty fee for climbers to $15,000 from $11,000 per person and flight disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict in West Asia between the United States and Iran.

According to the Department of Tourism, 464 climbers from 47 teams had been granted permits to climb the world's highest peak as of May 1. Among them, 58 climbers representing 25 expedition teams are from India. In total, 1,050 climbers from 125 teams have received permits to climb various peaks across Nepal.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

A
Ananya R
This highlights the immense risks climbers take, and the incredible bravery of Sherpa guides like Pembha Tenduk. They are the true heroes of Everest. Best wishes for a speedy recovery to both. 🙏
R
Rohit P
With so many permits issued this season, it feels like the mountain is getting crowded. Accidents like this will happen more often. The fee hike to $15k won't reduce numbers either. Hope authorities focus more on safety and rescue preparedness, not just revenue.
J
James A
A reminder that even with modern gear, Everest remains a deadly beast. The Khumbu Icefall is basically a moving glacier. Respect to the rescuers who evacuated them so quickly. Get well soon, Nimish and Pembha.
K
Kavya N
I always wonder why people risk their lives for this. But then you see the dedication of the Sherpas and climbers, and it's humbling. So glad the evacuation was swift. Hope they recover fully. 🙏
A
Arun Y
This is a wake-up call. With 58 Indian climbers this season, safety protocols need to be top-notch. The government and agencies should ensure proper training and emergency response. A big thank you to the rescue teams!
S
Suresh O
It's not just the climb

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50