KATMANDU, Nepal (AP) — An avalanche swept the slopes of Mount Everest on Friday along a route used to ascend the world’s highest peak, killing at least six Nepalese guides and leaving nine more missing, officials said.

The Sherpa guides had gone early in the morning to fix the ropes for hundreds of climbers when the avalanche hit them just below Camp 2 around 6:30 a.m., said Nepal Tourism Ministry official Krishna Lamsal, speaking from the base camp and monitoring the rescue efforts.