A member of a Chinese mountaineering team was killed and two others were severely injured in the Qomolangma avalanche triggered by the Nepal earthquake, according to the Chinese Mountaineering Association on Sunday night.[Special coverage]
The dead climber was identified as Ge Zhenfang, an experienced mountaineer from Jiangsu province. Another 37 surviving Chinese climbers were moved to safety, the association said.
A total of 18 climbers and Sherpa guides died.
Four Chinese teams were climbing Qomolangma by the southern route when the quake hit, according to Wang Yongfeng, vice-president of the association.
"I ran more than 10 meters and the avalanche was chasing me. Then I got down on the slope and used my hands to protect my head, trying to make some space to breathe," Shi Lei said. "I felt I was going to be buried. Fortunately, it didn't last long. When I got up, I found the camp had disappeared and people were screaming."
Two members of a women's team, Ma Liyamu, the 46-year-old team leader, and Liu Qing were severely injured.
Those seriously injured were taken to the hospital by a helicopter sent by the association on Sunday, Wang said. No one had life-threatening injuries.
It is the second time that the crew's expedition to conquer Earth's highest peak failed due to a deadly avalanche. Last April, climbing was canceled after an avalanche killed 16 Sherpa guides, the most deadly disaster on the southern route.
Among the victims was Dan Fredinburg, a Google executive from California. Fredinburg had been on Qomolangma for three weeks as part of an expedition.
"Day 22: Ice training with @micbattelli means frequent stops for morning cappuccino, regardless of danger. #Everest 2015," he wrote in his last Facebook post on Saturday with a photo of his training partner drinking a cup of coffee.
