The first fatalities on the highest mountain in the world this season have been reported on Mount Everest by two climbers: an American and a Swiss, according to expedition organizers in Nepal.
Officials from the trekking business said on Thursday that Abdul Waraich, 41, of Switzerland, and Puwei Liu, 55, of the US, both passed out while descending the mountain on Wednesday.
According to Thaneshwar Guragai, a manager of the expedition’s organizer, Seven Summit Treks in Nepal, “Additional sherpas were sent with supplies and oxygen but regrettably, they could not save them.”
According to Chhang Dawa Sherpa, another representative of the firm, Mr. Waraich passed away close to the south peak while descending after reaching the summit at 29,029 feet (8,848 meters).
Abdul succeeded in reaching the summit, but problems started to arise as he descended, the speaker claimed. “We sent two more Sherpas with food and oxygen.” Sadly, the Sherpas were powerless to help him.
At South Col, the mountain’s highest camp, Mr. Liu passed away. He had arrived at the Hillary Step, a rocky outcrop just below the summit, but due to fatigue and snow blindness, he was unable to continue.
Mr. Liu was returned to the camp at South Col, which is at a height of 25,918 feet (7,900 meters), with the aid of members of the support team and more oxygen, but he passed away on Wednesday night, according to the organizers.
When the weather improves, the bodies will be taken back down, according to the organizers.
No other information was provided on the deceased climbers or the timing of the body haul down. Climbers currently have to descend to lower elevations due to unfavorable weather conditions.
The job of lowering bodies from the highest heights down cold, treacherous slopes takes a lot of time, and multiple Sherpa employees, and is often quite expensive.
Social media is flooded with condolences for the climbers.
May their spirits, who have passed on, rest in peace, said Sherpa. We offer our regret and sincere condolences for Mr. Abdul and Mr. Liu’s loss.
According to his buddy Sungil Nam, Mr. Puwei has a “genuine passion for alpinism.”
“Puwei, it is such frightening and sad news to hear of your passing,” he posted on Facebook. On our 2016 climb to Muztagh Ata, we camped together.
“I am speechless with sadness at this tragedy. May your spirit find comfort!
“We will remember your genuine passion for alpinism.”
‘Kind’ and ‘modest’ were used to define Mr. Waraich, a senior engineer with the non-profit organization The International Association of Ahmad Architects & Engineers (IAAAE).
‘Abdul Waheed Waraich was a very modest kind and loyal man, May Allah give him high ranks in heaven and perseverance and patience to all the bereaved,’ said Wofa Mohammed, an imam at a mosque that Mr. Waraich visited, on Twitter. Amin.’
A collection of mosques in Germany known as the Ahmadiyya Muslim Jamaat paid homage to Mr. Waraich, who served as the local president of a mosque in Waldshut, a border town with Switzerland.
The group said: “We are deeply saddened by the loss of our very dear brother Abdul Waheed Waraich, local president of AMJ Waldshut, who passed away on May 11, 2021, during the descent after conquering Mount Everest and fulfilling his mission to raise the Liwa-e-Ahmadiyyat [the flag of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community] on the top of all seven continents of the world.”
He was an ardent supporter of the Ahmadi Muslim Community in Germany. As a person of outstanding character, humility, and kindness, he will be remembered.
“May Allah grant his family the fortitude to bear this loss, and may he rest in peace.” Ameen.’
‘It is with a heavy heart that we must report that [Waraich’s] health deteriorated and he died away on his way back from Mount Everest,’ the IAAAE stated in a statement.
“Warraich was a significant senior member of the IAAAE family who selflessly served humanity.” We ask that you please remember him and his family in your prayers.
Since being climbed for the first time by Edmund Hillary and Sherpa Tenzing Norgay in 1953, Everest has been reached by more than 6,000 climbers. On its slopes, at least 311 individuals have perished.
On the highest mountain in the world, about five climbers every year pass away on average.
Everest has experienced an increase in climbers in recent years, resulting in congestion that has been linked to several fatalities.
Four of the 11 fatalities atop the world’s tallest mountain in 2019 were attributed to crowding.
354 people were waiting in line on one day to ascend from both Tibet’s northern approach and Nepal’s southern side.
Nepal’s tourist government issued regulations limiting the number of climbers allowed to top the peak during each window of favorable weather to reduce congestion on the mountain.
Teams must ascend the summit in accordance with permission numbers, or the number of climbers allowed to ascend at once must be restricted, according to the expedition organizers.
This season, Nepal has awarded 408 climbing licenses, breaking the prior record of 381 in 2019.
At the base of Everest, a community of tents housing more than 1,000 people—foreign climbers and support personnel—has grown, and the hotels along the trail are once again open for business.
Although the pandemic wiped out the climbing season last year, Nepal has relaxed quarantine regulations in an effort to draw more climbers despite the challenges of treating coronavirus infections.
A devastating second wave of Covid-19 infections has coincided with the warmer weather that brings with it safer conditions for mounting Nepal’s treacherous, snow-capped hills.
Although just three coronavirus cases have been confirmed, more than 30 unwell climbers have recently been removed from base camp.
This year, base camps are devoid of the customary community gatherings since expedition groups were instructed to remain to themselves and refrain from mingling with others.
High elevations make it harder to breathe, therefore any coronavirus epidemic among climbing groups might be extremely dangerous to one’s health.
Chinese state media said on Sunday that officials will erect a “separation line” on Mount Everest’s summit to prevent climbers from the virus-ravaged Nepal from contracting Covid-19.
The tallest mountain in the world is located on the boundary between China and Nepal, with China owning the slope to the north.
According to the official Xinhua news agency, Tibetan officials promised to adopt the “strictest epidemic prevention measures” to prevent interaction between climbers on the north and south sides or at the summit.
The chairman of the Tibet Mountaineering Association was reported by Xinhua as stating that before enabling mountaineers to begin the strenuous trip up, guides will draw up dividing lines on the peak.
Due to the viral epidemic, China has prohibited foreign nationals from climbing Everest since last year. No other information was provided on the deceased climbers or the timing of the body haul down. Climbers currently have to descend to lower elevations due to unfavorable weather conditions.
The job of lowering bodies from the highest heights down cold, treacherous slopes takes a lot of time, and multiple Sherpa employees, and is often quite expensive.
Social media is flooded with condolences for the climbers.
May their spirits, who have passed on, rest in peace, said Sherpa. We offer our regret and sincere condolences for Mr. Abdul and Mr. Liu’s loss.
According to his buddy Sungil Nam, Mr. Puwei has a “genuine passion for alpinism.”
Read more about Green Boots on Mount Everest
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