Six people are reported to have been killed after an early-morning avalanche on the slopes of Mount Everest, BBC News reported.

The avalanche struck around 06:45 local time (01:00GMT) in an area known as the "popcorn field", just above Everest base camp at an elevation of 5,800m (19,000ft), an official told the BBC.

An official said four bodies had been found and two more were being dug out of the snow.

Everest is crowded ahead of peak season on the 8,850m summit.

Tourism Ministry official Madhusudan Burlakoti told the BBC that three helicopters had been sent to the area to help in rescue efforts.