Posted: Apr 21, 2006 11:33 am EDT
(MountEverest.net) Three Sherpas have died and at least four people are injured, due to a massive serac collapsing at the Khumbu icefall. Although first reports dated the events yesterday, it seems the accident took place at around 7:30 am this morning.

In addition to the reports by IMG - the first to inform on the sad events - and BaseCampMD (read both in separate stories published early this morning on MountEverest.net) most teams on Everest’s south side are now dispatching on the subject, compiling still sketchy details and confirming the Sherpas involved in the accident were not part of their team.

In this official statement to the Nepal Ministry however, the identity of the killed Sherpas has now been confirmed:

"At some time close to 7 AM on Friday, April 21, 2006, a major collapse occurred in the upper Khumbu Icefall on Mount Everest. Three Sherpa climbers were lost amid substantial ice debris. An extensive search was conducted in the hours following the accident. At approximately 9:30 AM the search was ended and the conclusion reached that no hope of recovery existed. Ang Phinjo Sherpa, aged 50, of Khunjung VDC ward # 9 Phortse, Solu Khumbu Nepal, Lhakkpa Tseri Sherpa of Mende, Dawa Temba Sherpa of Thamo are presumed dead."

The statement is signed by a BC Liasion Officer, the expedition leaders and sirdars: Tara Prasad Bhusal (LO for Swiss/Kari Kobler team); Justin Reese Merle (Expedition Leader 2006 IMG Everest Expedition); Douglas Tumminello (official Leader Team No Limit); Ang Passang Sherpa (Sirdar, 2006 IMG Everest Expedition) and Apa Sherpa (Sirdar Team No Limit).

Ang Phinjo Sherpa was hired by IMG, Lhakpa Tseri and Dawa Temba were employed by Asian Trekking on an Expedition listed as led by Douglas Tumminello & Apa Sherpa (Team No Limit).

Accident reports among Everest South teams

Adventure Consultants: Towers collapsing at the Popcorn

“This morning early, as Sherpas and Westerners alike were headed up through the icefall, something usually reserved for nightmares and dark thoughts happened,” reported Luis Benitez. “On a section known as 'the Popcorn', two gigantic towers collapsed, smashing against another wall of ice, and raining literally tons of debris down onto the helpless victims below.”

“When everything settled, and after a brief scurry to dig out two others that were partially buried, it was ascertained that there were 3 Sherpas under the rubble, that would be impossible to reach, and from the weight and magnitude of ice that fell upon them, a small chance that they had survived for long.”

”In moments like these, our whole team reflects on what it is exactly that we are after up here. How could we climb over the resting places of Sherpas that were basically just doing their jobs, and trying to provide for their families?”

“The missing Sherpas were not with the Adventure Consultants team,” reported the team later. “The timing of our own movements onto the mountain will be evaluated tomorrow morning when our remaining Sherpa climbers return to base camp from Camp 2 and when the climbing route is re-established to Camp 1.”

”Various groups pitched in to help finish the heli-pad today, in case any evacuations were required.”

Paul and Fiona: Three dead, four injured

“For several hours, details were very sketchy. It was known that several teams of Sherpas (including ours) had left base camp at around 5:30am - some of whom were heading for camp 1 and some to camp 2,” reported the couple. “With radio contact we soon learned that a section of the icefall had collapsed this morning at 7am. It seems that one tower toppled, causing a domino effect by hitting another tower and then a large wall of ice.”

“In the hours that followed, our team and several others frantically tried to account for all of the people known to be in that area. Sherpa groups that were long past the point of collapse retreated to assist with the search and many others went up to help. By around 10:30am, it was confirmed that 3 Sherpas had died in the icefall crush and that some 4 others were injured.”

“One of the deceased Sherpas, Pinjo (Phinjo), was from our team. He leaves behind a wife and two children (aged 12 and 14). Two other Sherpas (both of them brothers-in-law of his) left as soon as the news hit to break the sad news to his wife.”
“Although I don't have details, it is my understanding that all those injured were able to walk and have all now made it down to base camp and to the HRA Clinic (Himalayan Rescue Association) here.”

”Once there was news of possible injured people requiring assistance, most of us remaining at camp jumped into action to help build a helicopter pad in case a helicopter rescue was required. At first there were only a handful of us, but within half and hour, we had 200 people working together to create a flat platform. The helicopter pad has not been used today but should last for most of the season regardless (hopefully it's not needed). The project also gave everyone a way to feel slightly useful at a time when we were all feeling completely hopeless.”

Mountain link: Not from our team

All members of the Mountain Link climbing team and Mountain Link Sherpa team are uninjured and back at base camp.

Jagged Globe: Team members returned to BC the day before

“This morning Rob Cassidy came over and told us that 3 Sherpas had been killed in the icefall,” reported Kenton Cool. “Near the top there is an un-roped traverse of about 150 meters under some huge hanging seracs that look like fox’s glacier mints. Apparently the bodies are not retrievable. It’s very sad and pretty sobering, especially as it was at about 7:30 this morning when the icefall is more stable than usual.”

Jagged Globe team members had returned to BC one day earlier, after remaining stuck in C1 for three days.

Mallorca a Dalt de Tot: Mourning day

One of the Sherpas who died was brother-in-law of a member in the expedition’s Sherpa team, according to a press released published by the Spaniards. It is not clear though which team the deceased worked with.

“Tomorrow it has been declared a mourning day in BC; all expeditions have suspended their operations,” they added.

Everest for children

"This morning we experienced a major tragedy. A segment of our Sherpa team was scheduled to do a carry to Camp 1 to continue establishing supplies for the upper mountain. At approximately 7:30 am Friday morning we were notified via radio that an accident occurred. It took over an hour of cross expedition team radio communications to find out exactly what happen. In summary, ten Sherpa's were in the upper section of the most dangerous part of the icefalls when a number of very large Serac's collapsed sending tons of ice into the path of the Sherpa's. 3 were killed and several were injured. One of the Sherpa's killed was part of our team. His name was Pinjo."

"Pinjo was a senior statesman in the Himalayan climbing world. Dave Hahn informed me that he had been on over several dozen 8,000 meter peak expeditions since the 70's."

"I only new Pinjo for a short time. However, one of his most distinctive attributes was his smile and his dedication to help others. He was from a small Sherpa town called Phortse where many of the best climbing Sherpa's of the world come from. He was married with two children. It is a very sad day and our prayers go out to Pinjo's family."

Links to teams on Everest South:
Polish-Russian Traverse (Polish) | Martyna Wojciechowska (Polish) | Khoo Swee Chiow | Malaysia/Singapore EverestFriendship | Paul and Fiona Adler | South Africans | Schools around the world | John Turner | Will Cross | India’s BSF | Romeo Garduce’s GMA 7 expedition blog | National Philippines FPMEE team | News on the Philippine National team in Studio23 TV | Mallorca a Dalt de Tot | Alpine Ascents | Jagged Globe | Dr. Botha | Adventure Consultants | IMG | Mountain Link| BaseCampMD

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