A 46-year-old Indian climber, Banshi Lal, passed away in a local hospital after being rescued from Mount Everest last week. Lal was attempting to summit the world’s highest peak when he was rescued and admitted to a local hospital. However, despite efforts by doctors, he succumbed to his injuries on Monday.
Lal’s death is the eighth recorded fatality on Everest this season. The figure is lower than previous years as the mountaineering season nears its end. Notably, last year was the deadliest season on Everest, with 18 fatalities. The current season’s fatalities include a foreign climber and two Nepali guides, who are presumed dead after a fall and their bodies are yet to be recovered.
All the deaths on Everest this season occurred above 8,000 meters, where the thin air and low oxygen levels increase the risk of altitude sickness. Besides Everest, other mountains in Nepal have also seen fatalities, with three climbers losing their lives on Lhotse and Makalu.
Despite the fatalities, this year’s Everest season has witnessed record-breaking achievements. Nepali climber Phunjo Lamam made the fastest female ascent of Mount Everest, reaching the summit in just 14 hours and 31 minutes. Additionally, veteran Nepali climber Kami Rita Sherpa made his record-breaking 30th ascent of Everest three decades since his initial summit.
The Himalayan country issued 900 mountain permits this year, including 419 for Mount Everest. While the season has been marked by both tragedy and triumph, it is essential to highlight the risks associated with high-altitude mountaineering and the importance of proper preparation and safety measures.
