Two climbers, one from Kenya and one from Nepal, have tragically lost their lives near the summit of Mount Everest, according to tourism officials. This brings the total number of deaths on the mountain this season to at least four. Additionally, three mountaineers, including the guide of the Kenyan climber, are currently missing.
Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui, 40, and his Nepali guide Nawang Sherpa, 44, lost contact on Wednesday morning while on the 8,849-meter (29,032-foot) high mountain. A search team was immediately dispatched to locate them.
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Khim Lal Gautam, chief of the tourism department’s field office at the base camp, informed AFP that the team has discovered the lifeless body of the Kenyan climber in the vicinity of the summit and the Hillary Step. However, the whereabouts of his guide remain unknown.
Kirui, a 40-year-old banker at Kenya Commercial Bank, made headlines in Kenya with his impressive climb. Throughout his journey, fellow climber James Muhia provided regular updates online, keeping everyone informed and engaged.
“It is with great sadness that Muhia expressed his feelings on Thursday on X. He wrote, “Our brother has now become one with the mountain. We are facing a challenging time ahead. Farewell, my dear brother.”
During a meeting with Kirui before his journey to Nepal, Kenyan foreign ministry secretary, Korir Sing’oei, expressed his admiration for Kirui’s fearlessness and audacity.
Sing’oei expressed deep disappointment and sadness upon hearing the news, sharing his thoughts on social media. He acknowledged that he had been closely following the individual’s accomplishments and was deeply saddened by their unfortunate ending. Sing’oei described the person as a fearless and audacious spirit, representing the unwavering determination of many Kenyans. He concluded by expressing how much they would be missed.
According to a statement from the tourism department, another climber from Nepal, Binod Babu Bastakoti, tragically passed away at around 8,200 meters (26,902 feet) on Wednesday.
Search teams are currently conducting search operations for a 40-year-old British climber and his Nepali guide who went missing on Tuesday morning. The duo encountered a snow mass collapse while descending from the summit of Mount Everest.
A tragic incident occurred on Monday as a Romanian climber passed away in his tent during an attempt to conquer Lhotse, the fourth-highest mountain in the world.
Everest and Lhotse follow the same route up until they diverge at an altitude of approximately 7,200 meters.
This season, Makalu, the world’s fifth-highest peak, claimed the lives of two more climbers – one from France and one from Nepal.
Last year was deadliest season on Everest
This year, Nepal has issued over 900 permits for its mountains, with 419 permits specifically allocated for Everest. As a result, the country has generated more than $5 million in royalties from these permits.
Over 500 climbers and their guides have successfully reached the summit of Everest, following the completion of a rope-fixing mission by a team that reached the peak last month.
China reopened the Tibetan route to foreigners this year, marking the first time since its closure in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Nepal, with its majestic landscapes, boasts eight of the world’s 10 highest peaks. Every spring, this captivating country becomes a magnet for countless adventurers seeking thrilling experiences amidst warm temperatures and tranquil winds.
In 2019, a total of 600 climbers successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest. However, this achievement was marred by the fact that it was also the deadliest season on the mountain, resulting in 18 fatalities.
On Thursday, there was a somber update regarding the current situation on Mount Everest. However, amidst the unfortunate news, there was a remarkable achievement by Nepali climber Phunjo Lama. She successfully reached the summit of Everest in just 14 hours and 31 minutes, breaking the record for the fastest ascent by a woman. It is worth noting that climbers typically require several days to conquer the 29,032-foot mountain, taking breaks at different camps to rest and adjust to the altitude.
Just one day prior to Lama’s achievement, another celebrated mountaineer from Nepal, Kami Rita, made history by conquering the peak of Everest for a remarkable 30th time.
