Mount Everest's Sherpas are considering a climbing boycott following the deadliest avalanche in the mountain's history.

Several Sherpas have already quit, while others are still mulling over a boycott after Friday's lethal avalanche, said Ang Tshering of the Nepal Mountaineering Association.

The disaster killed at least 13 Sherpas when a block of ice tore loose from the mountain and triggered an avalanche which ripped through teams of guides hauling equipment in preparation for the climbing season.

Three other Sherpas still remain on the missing list and are presumed dead.

"After losing so many of our brothers and friends it is just not possible for many of them to continue," said Pasang Sherpa, who was not among those caught in the avalanche.

"So many of us are scared, our family members are scared and asking us to return from the mountain."

In the wake of the avalanche, the Sherpas have expressed anger that there has not been a bigger response from Nepal's government, which hugely profits from the permit fees charged to the climbing expeditions.

The government has announced an emergency aid payment of 40,000 rupees (£246) for the families of the dead climbers and Nepal Deputy Prime Minister Prakash Man Singh insisted yesterday that the government was working to help the Sherpas.

"It is not true the government does not care," he said.

"We have been working with rescue from the very beginning.

"We will do what we can, keeping with the standard practice to provide compensation."