An Indian and a Filipino became the first climbers to die on Mount Everest this spring season (March-May), reports "Reuters", reports News.bg.
45-year-old Subrata Ghosh from India died yesterday while descending from the summit after reaching the 8,849-meter peak. The incident occurred below the famous Hillary Step - a dangerous section in the so-called "death zone", which begins above 8,000 meters, where oxygen is too scarce for prolonged survival.
„Efforts are being made to transport his body to the base camp. The cause of death will be determined after an autopsy,“ the company that organized the expedition said.
The second deceased was 45-year-old Philip II Santiago from the Philippines. According to the tourism department, he died on Wednesday evening at the South Stake during the climb. Santiago was severely exhausted when he reached the fourth high camp and died while resting in his tent.
This season, Nepal has issued 459 permits to climb Everest. Nearly 100 climbers and their guides have already reached the summit this week alone.
Mountain climbing, trekking and related tourism are a major source of income for Nepal, one of the world's poorest countries. Since the beginning of expeditions to Everest, over 100 years, at least 345 people have lost their lives attempting to climb it.