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A Nepal tourism official told the Associated Press that six Nepalese guides are dead and nine are missing after an avalanche Friday on Mount Everest. The avalanche hit just above base camp in the Khumbu Ice Fall.

According to the Associated Press, Nepal Tourism Ministry official Madhu Sudan Burlakoti said the avalanche occurred around 6:30 a.m. Gordon Janow with Alpine Ascents International told CNN that climbers and guides had been in the area setting up the ropes for the route, preparing camps, and acclimating to the climate. They had planned to make their trek to the top once conditions became favorable in mid-May.