An Indian climber and another from the Philippines became the first mountaineers to die on Mount Everest during the climbing season in March during the highest summit in the world, hiking officials announced on Friday.
Subrata Ghosh, 45, from India, died Thursday below the Hillary stage on his return after reaching the peak of 8,849 meters (29,032 feet).
“He refused to descend below the Hillary stage,” said Bodhraj Bhandari of the Organization Company Horizon and Organization of Nepal.
No other details were available.
The Hillary stage is located in the “death zone”, an area between 8,000 meters (26,250 feet) in South Col height and the top where the natural oxygen level is inadequate for survival.
“Efforts are underway to bring his body back to the base camp. The cause of his death will only be known after the autopsy,” said Bhandari.
Philipp II Santiago, 45, from the Philippines, died late Wednesday at the South Col when he was going up, said Himal Gautam, head of the tourism department.
Santiago was tired when he reached the fourth camp and died while he was resting in his tent, added Gautam.
Santiago and Ghose were both members of an international expedition organized by Bhandari.
Nepal issued 459 permits to climb Everest during the current season which ends in May. Almost 100 climbers and their guides have already reached the summit this week.
Climbing, trekking and tourism are a source of income and employment for Nepal, one of the poorest countries in the world.
At least 345 people died in Everest in more than 100 years since the start of suspended expeditions, according to the Himalayan database and hiking managers.
