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Video: Moment Everest Avalanche Hits Climbers

Footage has emerged of the moment an avalanche swept into Everest Base Camp after a powerful earthquake hit Nepal.

German climber Jost Kobusch was filming the lower slopes of the world's highest mountain when a mass of snow rushed in with a force described as being like a "nuclear blast".

The mountaineer is seen running for cover in his tent before being enveloped in a blanket of icy material.

Mr Kobusch is heard saying "hold on to my jacket" as the wind threatens to blow his colleague away.

Both are believed to have escaped serious injury but 18 other climbers are known to have died.

They are among more than 4,000 people killed in Nepal in Saturday's 7.8-magnitude quake.

Britons Sam and Alex Chappatte and Captain Tim Bradshaw were also hit by the avalanche but survived.

Sarah Chappatte, a family member who has been in contact with Sam and Alex, said on the couple's blog: "We need to get them out.

"We believe there are around 100 climbers and sherpas trapped between camps one and two. Some of the climbers are beginning to suffer from altitude sickness.

"All reports confirm that the icefall is now impassable so there is no way to climb down."

Sherpas with facial injuries were seen in footage arriving at hospital in Kathmandu after being flown back from Everest's slopes.

One of them, Gyelu Sherpa, said: "The snow swept away many tents and people."

Another, Bhim Bahadur Khatri, added: "We all rushed out to the open and the next moment a huge wall of snow just piled on me.

"I managed to dig out of what could easily have been my grave. I was suffocating, I could not breathe. But I knew I had to survive."

Concern is growing for dozens of climbers trapped high up on the mountain.

Several aftershocks caused further avalanches as a rescue attempt was in progress to airlift those injured at base camp to safety.

One of those who died in the first avalanche was 33-year-old Google executive Dan Fredinburg.

The death toll from the avalanche made it the mountain's deadliest disaster to date.

British climber Alex Gaven, who is at Camp One, tweeted: "Aftershock @ 1pm! Horrible here in camp 1. Avalanches on 3 sides. C1 a tiny island..."

Mountain rescue teams have used helicopters to airlift climbers stranded at high altitude on Mount Everest after the powerful earthquake.

Three helicopters reached camps one and two - both at altitudes above 20,000ft (6,000m) - although each aircraft can only carry two climbers because of the thin air.

Reports have said that only dead bodies remain at the base camp, but not all those who have managed to leave have been able to find shelter because of the risk from unstable buildings.

Tourism ministry officials estimate that at least 1,000 people, including some 400 foreigners, were at base camp or on the ascent to the peak as the earthquake struck.

TV presenter Amanda Holden has spoken of her family's anxious wait for news of her sister Debbie, who was at a camp at Gorakshep when the quake hit. She managed to send a text to tell them she was ok, before emailing on Monday from Pheriche.

She told Sky News: "I think potentially she may have saved her own life because she was suffering from acute altitude sickness and therefore did not move with the rest of the team and stayed there I think with a sherpa and three others.

"They were affected by an avalanche, they felt the tremors, but they stayed put.."

It is not clear whether the largest aftershock - one at 6.7 magnitude - resulted in further casualties.

:: You can watch a special programme about the Nepal Earthquake on Sky News - on Sky channel 501, Virgin 602, Freesat 202 and Freeview 132 - at 4.30pm and 8.30pm and across digital platforms.