In a tragic turn of events, a Kenyan climber has been found dead near the summit of Mount Everest, officials announced on Thursday, May 23rd. The deceased, Kirue Joshua Cheruiyot, 40, was discovered by a research and rescue team deployed by Seven Summit Treks. His body was located in the stretch between the summit and the Hilary Step. However, his climbing guide, Nawang Sherpa, 44, remains missing.
The Everest Chronicles reported that Cheruiyot and Sherpa had been out of contact since late Tuesday. Initial reports from officials indicated the discovery of two bodies, but this was later clarified as a miscommunication.
“We have received a report that the research and rescue team has found the body of the Kenyan climber, while his guide remains missing. The search for him is ongoing,” said Khimlal Gautam, Chief of the Expedition Monitoring and Facilitation Field Office of the Department of Tourism at the base camp.
Sherpa rescuers recovered Kirui’s body late on Wednesday, approximately 19 meters (62 feet) below the 8,849-meter peak, according to Nepal’s Department of Tourism.
Cheruiyot and Sherpa were members of the Seven Summit Treks team, a renowned expedition group.
This incident coincides with the ongoing search for British climber Daniel Paul Paterson, 40, and his Sherpa guide Pas Tenji Sherpa, 23, who have been missing in the same area.
With Cheruiyot’s death, the fatalities on Mount Everest for this season have risen to three, including an additional death reported on Mount Lhotse, which shares the same route. Over the years, more than 335 climbers have lost their lives on Mount Everest out of approximately 7,000 who have attempted the summit.
The climbing community mourns the loss of Cheruiyot, a determined and passionate climber, and hopes for the safe return of the missing guides.