A Nepali climber died on Mount Everest on Wednesday, marking the fourth fatality in the 2024 expedition on the world’s highest peak. Binod Babu Bastakoti, 37, from Lekhnath in Kaski district, was killed at Rock Face near the south Col while descending after the summit, according to Rakesh Gurung, spokesperson of the Department of Tourism, who cited reports from officials and Bastakoti’s climbing agency.
The exact cause of death will be determined after the autopsy. Officials reported that Bastakoti began behaving strangely during the descent. His guide left to retrieve oxygen, but upon returning, found Bastakoti aggressively resisting movement. Shortly after, he undressed, discarded his mask, and died. Initially set to climb with Yeti Adventure, Bastakoti later joined Pioneer Adventure after his assigned guide disappeared.
This latest tragedy adds to recent fatalities on Everest, including the deaths of two Mongolian climbers, a Kenyan climber, and a Romanian climber on Lhotse, the world’s fourth-highest peak. British climber Daniel Paul Paterson, 40, his Sherpa guide Pas Tenji Sherpa, 23, and Nawang Sherpa, 44, remain missing in the death zone, according to the Department of Tourism. Kenyan climber Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui was found dead at 8830 meters on May 22, while Romanian climber Gabriel Viorel Tabara, 48, was found dead in Camp III (7470m) in his tent on May 20. Last week, Mongolian climbers Usukhjargal Tsedendamba, 53, and Purevsuren Lkhagvajav, 31, were found dead near Everest’s summit, days after going missing.
