April 30, 2014
For decades, renowned photojournalist Thomas L. Kelly has tirelessly explored various Asian cultures and the human rights issues arising therein.
Yesterday, Thomas was kind enough to send me photographs he took on April 21, documenting the last rites of the 16 Sherpa guides who lost their lives in the Everest avalanche of April 18, 2014. The bodies of the deceased were flown to Kathmandu and paraded to their cremations. Below are a few of those photographs:
Mingma Sherpa is Managing Director of Seven Summit Treks Pvt. Ltd. He is fighting the government on behalf of the 16 Sherpas who passed away in the Everest disaster: 1 million Nepali Rupees for each family; 30% of the royalty the government receives from foreign climbers to be placed in a fund; and the organization of a fund for the children of the deceased fathers until they reach class 10.
To view more of Kelly's work,
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