Frightening footage of earthquake-triggered Mount Everest avalanche (VIDEO)

A dramatic video recorded by German mountain climber Jost Kobusch captures the moment when an avalanche hit the Mount Everest base camp on Saturday. A magnitude 7.8 earthquake in Nepal triggered the deadly avalanche on the slopes of the world’s tallest peak.

The video begins with Kobusch and others around him noticing that the ground is shaking. Within seconds, people in the distance can be seen scurrying away when they see a massive cloud of snow approaching them.

Kobusch and his companions have no time to run away to safety so they hide behind a yellow tent. When the snow stops falling around them, the shocked climbers are heard gasping for air, swearing and asking each other whether they are alright.

“Are you okay?” asks a climber. “Wait! Maybe there’s coming more. Stay together, stay together,” said another climber.

Towards the end of the video, the climbers are seen trying to find a point of reference in the snow-covered area. Dozens of tents located in the area prior to the avalanche strike are no longer seen.

Kobusch was among those who luckily survived the ordeal. At least 19 people were killed in the avalanche and a number of other individuals were injured.

The video was uploaded onto YouTube on Sunday and has already received nearly 18 million views.

As of today, the death toll from the earthquake and aftershocks has reached 4,800 and the number of injured is now at 11,000. There are fears that the death toll could reach 10,000 as there is widespread destruction with buildings and infrastructure levelled during the earthquake. Rescuers are scrambling against time to pull any survivors from the rubble.

The United Nations warns of the humanitarian crisis to come with 1.4 million people in need of immediate food assistance. A total of eight million people have been affected by the earthquake in the region.

To assist with humanitarian efforts, please consider donating to the Canadian Red Cross. The federal government of Canada has promised to match donations dollar-for-dollar until May 25.

Warning: this video contains graphic language

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