Indian Climber Dies After Scaling Mount Everest
KATHMANDU, Nepal — An Indian climber tragically passed away after reaching the summit of Mount Everest, marking the second death this climbing season on the world’s highest peak. This incident follows the earlier loss of a Filipino climber during the same expedition.
Subrata Ghosh, 45, successfully reached the 8,849-meter (29,000 feet) summit on Thursday. However, he died approximately 50 meters below the peak while descending. His expedition organizer explained, “It seems he was exhausted and was showing signs of altitude sickness. We are waiting for his guide to return for more details.” Ghosh hailed from West Bengal, a state bordering Bangladesh.
Challenges of the Death Zone
The region above 8,000 meters is known as the “death zone” due to the dangerously low oxygen levels and thin air. These conditions significantly increase the risk of altitude sickness and exhaustion, which can quickly become life-threatening.
Earlier in the week, a Filipino climber from the same group, 45-year-old Philipp “PJ” Santiago II, died while attempting to reach the summit. Authorities have not yet disclosed the cause of his death. Santiago’s team had faced an avalanche earlier, which left him with facial injuries and a brief loss of consciousness. Despite this, after six days of rest and medical clearance, he continued his climb.
Filipino Climber’s Cause and Mission
Santiago aimed to raise awareness about children with cancer and the importance of clean water during his Everest expedition. His dedication brought attention not only to the mountain’s dangers but also to critical social issues.
Mount Everest Climbing Season Progress
Since the route opened last week, over 50 climbers have reached the summit, taking advantage of a short window of favorable weather. Nepal, home to eight of the world’s ten tallest mountains, attracts hundreds of climbers each spring. This season usually offers warmer temperatures and calmer winds, making it the most popular climbing period.
Last year, more than 800 climbers reached Everest’s peak, including 74 from Tibet’s northern side. Unfortunately, eight people lost their lives, including climbers from Nepal, Mongolia, Kenya, the UK, and India, highlighting the mountain’s ongoing risks despite advances in equipment and guidance.
For more updates on Mount Everest climbing season, visit Filipinokami.com.