World

Two dead, two missing after avalanche hits Tibet's Mt Shishapangma

American mountaineer and Nepali guide die in Tibet avalanche, two missing and one injured on Mount Shishapangma

AFP October 08, 2023

This picture shows an aerial view of Mount Shishapangma, in south-central Tibet, five kilometres from the border with Nepal. PHOTO: X/@OlegMKS

An American mountaineer and her Nepali guide were killed in an avalanche on Mount Shishapangma in Tibet, southwest China, tour companies told AFP on Sunday, with two still missing and one seriously injured.

Mount Shishapangma, one of the highest mountains in the world, peaks at 8,027 metres (26,335 feet) above sea level and is entirely located within Chinese territory.

The accident occurred Saturday afternoon "at an altitude of between 7,600 and 8,000 meters", 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 underway," he said.

Those efforts were complicated by the fact that "helicopters cannot be used" on the mountain due to Chinese restrictions, he added.

Tashi Sherpa of Seven Summit Treks identified the missing as American climber Gina Marie Rzucidlo and her guide Tenjin "Lama" Sherpa.

"Two avalanches hit the mountain yesterday, impacting several climbers. Some were injured and two, American climber (Gina Marie Rzucidlo) and our guide Tenjin, are missing," he said.

"Search efforts are underway."

Tenjin became the toast of the mountaineering community this year after setting the record for the fastest summit of all 14 of the world's 8,000-metre (26,000-feet) mountains alongside Norway's Kristin Harila.

The pair finished the feat in 92 days when they reached the peak of Pakistan's K2 in July.

A statement posted on Harila's Instagram said she was headed to Nepal to "help in any way she can".

"Our thoughts and prayers are with Lama and his family," it added.

The two women on Shishapangma were in a race to become the first American woman to summit all 14 peaks, according to Nepali newspaper The Himalayan Times.

All mountaineering activities have been suspended on Mount Shishapangma, Xinhua said.