Indian Mountaineer Dies Near Everest 'Death Zone' After Refusing To Descend

The Hillary Step lies within Everest’s infamous “death zone,” where oxygen levels are critically low and climbers’ chances of survival without supplemental oxygen are minimal.

Despite efforts by his Sherpa guide, Champal Tamang, to assist and encourage Ghosh to descend, the climber refused to continue.

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An Indian mountaineer has died while descending Mount Everest, reportedly due to altitude sickness. He is the second person to die on the world’s highest peak during this year’s climbing season. According to reports, the climber had refused to descend and insisted on continuing the trek.

'Severe Altitude Sickness, Climber Refused To Descend'

Subrata Ghosh, 45, reportedly collapsed near the Hillary Step — a perilous section just below the 8,849-metre (29,032-foot) summit — after showing signs of severe altitude sickness. His expedition was organised by Snowy Horizon Treks and Expedition, whose representative, Bodhraj Bhandari, confirmed the incident.

The Hillary Step lies within Everest’s infamous “death zone,” where oxygen levels are critically low and climbers’ chances of survival without supplemental oxygen are minimal. Despite efforts by his Sherpa guide, Champal Tamang, to assist and encourage Ghosh to descend, the climber refused to continue, reported Hindustan Times.

Tamang later made his way back alone to Camp IV and reported the situation early the next day. Efforts are currently underway to retrieve Ghosh’s body from the mountain. The exact cause of death will be confirmed following a post-mortem examination.

Just days earlier, 45-year-old Philipp II Santiago of the Philippines died while resting at Camp IV, reportedly from extreme exhaustion after reaching the high-altitude site on May 14. 

Both climbers were part of an international expedition managed by Bhandari’s trekking company.

According to data compiled by Himalayan authorities and mountaineering experts, Everest has claimed over 345 lives since organized attempts to scale the peak began in the early 20th century, reported NDTV. The ongoing season has already underscored the immense risks that persist in high-altitude mountaineering.

Meanwhile, altitude sickness is one of the reason for death where there is lack of oxygen at extreme altitudes which results in High-Altitude Pulmonary Edema (Fluid in the lungs) or High-Altitude Cerebral Edema (Swelling of the brain), both of which are life-threatening and require immediate descent.