BEIJING (AFP) – An American mountaineer and her Nepali guide were killed in an avalanche on Mount Shishapangma in Tibet, southwest China, tour companies told AFP yesterday, with two still missing and one seriously injured.
Mount Shishapangma, one of the highest mountains in the world, peaks at 8,027 metres above sea level and is entirely located within Chinese territory.
The accident occurred on Saturday afternoon “at an altitude of between 7,600 and 8,000 metres”, China’s state news agency Xinhua said, citing the Tibet Sports Bureau, which confirmed the toll. Mingma David Sherpa of Elite Exped, which was handling the expedition, told AFP that Anna Gutu, an American mountaineer, had been killed.
“We have received reports that Anna and her guide were hit by the avalanche yesterday, their bodies have been recovered,” he said.
“There are other climbers missing as well and rescue efforts are under way,” he said, adding those efforts were complicated by the fact “helicopters cannot be used” on the mountain due to Chinese restrictions.
