Kathmandu, May 13
Two foreign climbers have died during their ascent to and descent from the peak of Mount Everest, the tallest mountain of the world, in eastern Nepal on Thursday.
Mira Acharya, a director of the Department of Tourism, informs Onlinekhabar from the base camp that Abdul Wahid Waraich of Switzerland and Liu Puwei of the USA died today. Waraich was returning from the peak but died at the South Col this morning.
Efforts had been made to rescue him, but that failed due to unfavourable weather, Acharya informs, quoting Seven Summit Treks, the expedition management company.
On the other hand, Puwei was on the way to the peak. After reaching the Hillary Step, the climber had experienced some problems and was taken back to the camp IV.
Over 150 climbers have already made it to the peak in the past week this season, according to the government. Now, the favourable weather window has closed and the climbing activities are likely to resume after May 20 only, informs Gyanendra Shrestha, a liaison officer at the base camp.
The department so far has issued Everest climbing permits to 408 members of 43 expeditions for this season. The number of aspiring Everest climbers this season is the highest recorded in a season so far. The figure is also more than half of the total climbing permits issued for a total of 16 climbing peaks of the country for this season. The department says it has issued permits to 742 members of 85 expeditions so far.
Several media outlets in and outside Nepal have reported a few Covid-19 cases at the base camp, but the government has rejected it.
