KATHMANDU: An Indian climber and a Sherpa mountain guide were injured on Tuesday morning after a serac collapse brought down ice onto the trail through the Khumbu Icefall on the Everest climbing route, according to the Department of Tourism's temporary field office at Everest Base Camp.

The incident occurred at around 5:45 am on April 5 as climbers and Sherpa guides from multiple expedition agencies were moving through the icefall toward Camp II, according to the field office.

A large serac that had been visible in the area broke off, and a chunk of ice approximately 20 metres below it collapsed onto the path, striking members of the passing group.

The injured are Pemba Tenduk Sherpa, 44, a mountain guide from Sankhuwasabha, Makalu, currently with Seven Summit Treks, and Nimish Kumar Singh, 40, an Indian climber and member of Pioneer Adventure expedition. 

Sherpa guides from Pioneer Adventure Pvt. Ltd. and Summit Force Expedition immediately rescued the injured and reported the incident to base camp. A team from Seven Summit Trek coordinated a helicopter evacuation from base camp, with the rescue helicopter arriving from Lukla at around 6:30 am.

Both injured individuals have been admitted to HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu and are currently receiving treatment. 

Their condition is not life-threatening, informed DoT's EBC field office.