KATHMANDU, May 5 (Xinhua) -- An Indian mountaineer and a Nepali Sherpa guide were injured on Tuesday morning after a serac collapse along the Khumbu Icefall route on Mt. Qomolangma, Nepal's Department of Tourism said.
The incident occurred around 5:45 a.m. local time 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.
According to the department, the incident took place as climbers and guides from multiple expedition agencies were heading toward Camp I from Camp II via the Khumbu Icefall as part of the acclimatization process. The collapsing serac obstructed the route and struck some of them.
The Khumbu Icefall is one of the most hazardous sections of the Mt. Qomolangma climbing route, where climbers face significant risks due to frequent ice shifts and serac collapses.
A team of Sherpa guides carried out a rescue operation immediately after the incident and informed officials stationed at the Mt. Qomolangma Base Camp. The injured were then airlifted to Kathmandu for treatment.
"Both of them are now receiving treatment at Kathmandu-based HAMS Hospital, and their condition is stable and they are out of danger," the department said. ■
