1st group of Everest survivors reach capital

The first group of survivors from an earthquake-triggered avalanche that swept through the Mount Everest base camp are flown to Nepal’s capital Kathmandu on Sunday and taken to hospitals. None appear to have life-threatening injuries.

At least 17 people were killed when Saturday’s avalanche, set off by the massive earthquake that struck Nepal, obliterated part of the rocky village of nylon tents, where dozens of teams were training and acclimatizing themselves to higher altitudes as they prepared to make summit attempts in the next few weeks.

Twenty-two of the most seriously injured had already been taken by helicopter for treatment in the village of Pheriche, the location of the nearest medical facility. But bad weather and communications were hampering more helicopter flights, says Ang Tshering of the Nepal Mountaineering Association.

— AP