A Kenyan climber has died near the summit of Mount Everest, officials said.
The research and rescue team deployed by Seven Summit Treks found the body of Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui, 40, in the stretch between the summit and the Hilary Step, while his climbing guide Nawang Sherpa remains missing. The duo had been out of contact since late Tuesday.
Earlier, officials had said that the research and rescue team had found two bodies. Officials now say there was a miscommunication with the search team, who had earlier claimed two bodies were found.
“We have received a report that the research and rescue team have found the body of the Kenyan climber, while his guide remains missing. The search for him is going on,” said Khimlal Gautam, Chief of the Expedition Monitoring and Facilitation Field Office of the Department of Tourism at the base camp. Kirui and Sherpa were part of the Seven Summit Treks.
The confirmation of Kirui’s death comes as officials are slowly giving up hope of finding British climber Daniel Paul Paterson, 40, and his Sherpa guide Pas Tenji Sherpa, 23, who have been missing in the death zone.
With this latest death, the total fatalities on Mount Everest have reached three, with an additional death reported on Mount Lhotse, which shares the same route.
This story has been updated to reflect that only the body of Kenyan climber Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui was found. His climbing guide, Nawang Sherpa, remains missing. Officials cited a miscommunication with the search team, who had earlier claimed two bodies were found. –ed
