Avalanche sweeps Everest region, 17 dead, 61 others injured

In this photo provided by Azim Afif a man approaches the scene after an avalanche triggered by a massive earthquake swept across Everest Base Camp, Nepal on Saturday, April 25, 2015. Afif and his team of four others from the Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM) all survived the avalanche. (Source: Azim Afif via AP)

A senior trekking guide says at least 17 people have been killed after an avalanche triggered by Nepal’s massive earthquake slammed into a section of the Mount Everest mountaineering base camp. Another 61 people have been injured.

Ang Tshering of the Nepal Mountaineering Association said early Sunday that 22 of the seriously injured have been taken by helicopter to Pheriche village, the nearest medical facility. Bad weather and communications are hampering more helicopter sorties.

Tshering says the avalanche began Saturday on Mount Kumori, a 7,000-meter (22,966-foot) -high mountain just a few miles (kilometers) from Everest, gathering strength as it headed toward the base camp where climbing expeditions have been preparing to make their summit attempts.