An Indian climber named Banshi Lal, who was rescued from Mount Everest, has passed away in a Kathmandu hospital, bringing this season’s death toll on the world’s highest peak to eight, as reported by Nepali tourism official Rakesh Gurung.
Lal, aged 46, was airlifted from Everest last week but unfortunately succumbed to his injuries on Monday.
Among the casualties this season, three individuals, including a British climber and two Nepali guides, remain missing and are presumed dead.
Despite these losses, this year’s death toll is relatively lower compared to the previous season, which claimed the lives of 18 climbers.
Aside from Everest, three climbers perished on other Nepali peaks: a Romanian on Lhotse, and both a French and a Nepali climber on Makalu. Nepal, boasting eight of the world’s ten highest mountains, attracts numerous adventurers each spring, thanks to favorable weather conditions.
All Everest fatalities occurred in the perilous “death zone,” above 8,000 meters, where oxygen levels are low, significantly raising the risk of altitude sickness. This season also witnessed remarkable feats, such as Nepali climber Phunjo Lamam’s fastest female ascent and Kami Rita Sherpa’s record-breaking 30th summit.
This year, Nepal issued over 900 climbing permits, including 419 for Everest, generating more than $5 million in royalties.
Over 600 climbers and their guides have successfully reached Everest’s summit thus far.
Meanwhile, China has reopened the Tibetan route to Everest for foreign climbers, marking the first time since the 2020 pandemic lockdown.
