Two Sherpa climbers died in an avalanche on Mount Pumori last week, Narayan Acharya of the Nepal Ministry of Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation reported.

According to Nepalnews, Ang Jabu Sherpa, 33, Phurba Thundu Sherpa, 21, both members of the Latonia International Pumori Expedition 2006, were killed while climbing the 7161m peak.

"... more casualties are likely as detailed information is yet to come. Two liaison officials accompanying the climbers have not reported back," Acharya said. "We are trying to contact the liaison officers as well as the expedition members but we haven't been able to."

The 10-member expedition, led by Italian climber Christian Denicolo, was the only expedition to Mount Pumori at the time of the avalanche.