Climbers and sherpas in Everest brawl

Nepal officials vowed yesterday to ensure the safety of climbers seeking to scale Mount Everest after three European climbers were involved in a fight with sherpa guides on their way to the peak of the world’s highest mountain.

Three experienced climbers from Britain, Italy and Switzerland were on route to camp three at 22,965ft on the 29,035ft Everest summit when a brawl broke out on Saturday with sherpas fixing their ropes.

Witnesses said the sherpas pelted the Europeans’ tents with stones and punches were thrown.