At least three climbers on Mount Everest presumed dead

Towards the end of the mountaineering season on Mount Everest in Nepal, at least three people are believed to have died, according to officials and relatives of the deceased.

Cheruiyot Kirui, a senior account manager at African bank KCB Group (named after its former form Kenya Commercial Bank), died while trekking in the mountains, his employer said.

His body was found on Mount Everest, said Khim Lal Gautam, a government official at the base camp. It was unclear when the body would be recovered as it would be difficult to transport due to low oxygen levels at that altitude.

KCB said he died “while climbing Everest.” Death occurred on Wednesday or Thursday.

Kenya’s Foreign Minister Korir Sing’Oei said on social media platform X on Thursday that Kirui was “my friend”.

“He is a fearless, bold spirit and embodies the indomitable will of many Kenyans,” he said. “We will miss him.”

At the same time, Nawang Sherpa, a guide who accompanied the banker, was reported missing.

Two other climbers, Briton Daniel Paul Paterson and Nepali Pastenji Sherpa, are presumed dead after reaching and descending the summit on Tuesday, according to a joint post on Thursday by the Instagram accounts of Everest guide Lakpa Sherpa and 8k Expeditions.

They went missing after a cornice collapsed near Hillary Step and their bodies have not been recovered, reports said. Their deaths have not been confirmed by government officials.

Paterson described himself on social media as the co-owner of England’s Wakefield CrossFit gym and was described in Thursday’s post as someone known for his “uplifting personality and strong determination.”

Pastenji Sherpa worked for 8k Expeditions and described himself as one of the busiest mountain guides in the Himalayas. He had been an avid mountaineer since his youth, having previously climbed Everest and other famous peaks.

“We remember and honor their brave souls and extend our deepest condolences to their grieving families,” the joint post said on Thursday.

Two Mongolian climbers died while descending from the summit last week. Other climbers and guides on Mount Everest are reported missing, but there was no official information on their whereabouts late Friday.

According to official figures, more than 450 climbers have scaled Mount Everest this season from the Nepali side of the peak in the south. The spring season for climbing on the world’s highest mountain ends at the end of May.