Two mountaineers — one from India and the other from the Philippines — have died while attempting to summit Mount Everest, marking the first fatalities of the current March–May climbing season, according to Nepalese hiking officials on Friday.

Subrata Ghosh, a 45-year-old Indian climber, died on Thursday below the Hillary Step while descending after successfully reaching the summit of the 8,849-metre (29,032-foot) peak. He reportedly refused to descend from the area, which lies in Everest’s notorious “death zone” — the section above 8,000 metres where oxygen levels are dangerously low.

“Efforts are underway to bring his body down to the base camp,” said Bodhraj Bhandari of Snowy Horizon Treks and Expedition, which organised the climb. “The cause of his death will be known only after post-mortem.”

The second victim, 45-year-old Philipp II Santiago from the Philippines, died late Wednesday at the South Col — the fourth high camp — while ascending. According to tourism department official Himal Gautam, Santiago appeared extremely fatigued upon reaching the camp and passed away while resting in his tent.

Both men were part of an international expedition led by Bhandari’s company.

Nepal, which heavily relies on mountain tourism as a source of income and employment, has issued 459 climbing permits for Everest this season. Nearly 100 climbers and guides have successfully summited the peak this week alone.

Since expeditions on Everest began over a century ago, at least 345 people have lost their lives on the mountain, according to the Himalayan Database and local officials.

Melissa Enoch

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