Romanian, Mongolian bodies recovered from Everest
Two bodies have been retrieved from Mount Everest, while efforts are underway to bring down at least three more, officials said
The body of Romanian climber Gabriel Viorel Tabara, 48, was brought to Kathmandu on Friday. The body of Mongolian climber Usukhjargal Tsedendamba was retrieved near the South Summit and brought to base camp. It will be brought to Kathmandu on Saturday.
Both bodies will be handed over to their families after an autopsy.
Tabara died at Camp III on May 21 while attempting to climb Lhotse, the world's fourth-highest peak which shares a common route with Everest, according to the Department of Tourism. He was found dead in his tent by his climbing guide, and the reason for his death has not yet been determined. The 53-year-old Tsedendamba and his compatriot Purevsuren Lkhagvajav, 31, died on May 13th, and their bodies were found days after they went missing.
Preparations are also underway to recover a body from the South Col, and the Nepal Army's cleanup campaign plans to retrieve a body from Camp 2 on Saturday. Khim Lal Gautam, head of the temporary office of the Department of Tourism at the base camp, said there is also an agreement to bring down the body of Nepali climber Binod Babu Bastakoti.
This season on Everest, like every year, has also seen its share of tragedy. The Department of Tourism has confirmed the deaths of at least five climbers on the Everest route this season, with three others still missing. Besides Romanian and Mongolian climbers, other confirmed deceased climbers whose bodies have been found include Nepali climber Binod Babu Bastakoti, 37, and Kenyan climber Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui, 40.
Similarly, those listed as missing include British climber Daniel Paul Paterson, 40, his Sherpa guide Pas Tenji Sherpa, 23, and Nawang Sherpa, a 44-year-old guide who has been missing since May 22.
The search has been halted for the Briton and his guide, which means the climbers are now presumed dead, joining dozens of others whose bodies have never been found on Everest.
