April 13: The Department of Tourism has launched a search and rescue operation to find climbers who have gone missing in an avalanche in course of climbing Mount Everest.      

Three Sherpa climbers went missing on Wednesday morning while heading towards Camp 1 from the Everest Base Camp.
According to the department, Dawa Chhiri Sherpa, Pemba Tenjing Sherpa and Lakpa Rita Sherpa were caught in the avalanche at the Khumbu icefall region between base camp and Camp 1.  They were carrying materials used to make trails for climbing when the incident took place.

Expedition teams are preparing to climb Mt Everest with the onset of the spring season, which is considered the most favourable time to climb the world’s highest peak.    
All three Sherpas who went missing are from Khumbu Pasang Lhamu Rural Municipality-5 in Solukhumbu district. They were mobilized on behalf of Imagine Nepal Trek and Expedition.    
A press statement released by the department says that search and rescue of the missing people are being carried out  both aerially with the help of a Simrik Air helicopter and via land.    
The rescue efforts are being carried out in collaboration with the local administration, Sagarmatha Pollution Control Committee, Himalayan Rescue Association, Imagine Expedition Company and Mountaineering Operation Association Nepal. -- RSS