An Indian climber, Banshi Lal, who was rescued from Mount Everest, has died in a hospital in Kathmandu, raising this season’s death toll on the world’s highest peak to eight, according to Nepali tourism official Rakesh Gurung.
Lal, 46, was evacuated from Everest last week but succumbed to his injuries on Monday.
Among the fatalities this season, three individuals, including a British climber and two Nepali guides, are still missing and presumed dead. Despite these losses, the death toll this year is relatively low compared to the previous season, which saw 18 climbers perish.
In addition to Everest, three climbers died on other Nepali peaks: a Romanian on Lhotse and both a French and a Nepali climber on Makalu. Nepal, home to eight of the world's ten highest mountains, attracts hundreds of adventurers each spring due to favourable weather conditions.
All Everest deaths occurred in the "death zone," above 8,000 metres, where low oxygen levels significantly increase the risk of altitude sickness. This season also witnessed record-breaking achievements, including Nepali climber Phunjo Lamam's fastest female ascent and Kami Rita Sherpa's record 30th summit.
Nepal has issued over 900 climbing permits this year, including 419 for Everest, generating more than $5 million in royalties. More than 600 climbers and their guides have reached Everest’s summit so far. Meanwhile, China has reopened the Tibetan route to Everest for foreign climbers for the first time since the 2020 pandemic lockdown.
