Mount Everest security guards to stop fights
Tempers get hot even in the freezing cold of Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain. Fights break out among climbers there. One brawl last April was between European and Sherpa climbers. The free-for-all happened 1,400m below the summit. It was over an argument about how to fix ropes to the ice. It was resolved without any serious injuries. Everest is becoming more crowded, so Nepal is nipping any more trouble in the bud. It will send a team of security guards before the climbing season begins in April. The nine-person team will deal with any alpine arguments. Nepal's tourism ministry told the Himalayan Times that last year's fight caused worries about safety and security on the mountain, especially because the nearest police officers were days away. It said: "We will open an office at the base camp with a team of government officials, including the army and police personnel. This will make it easy to resolve any conflict." He said this would, "give a psychological feeling to climbers that they are safe". The team would also help with first-aid, rescues and things to make it easier for climbers. |