
A Kenyan climber who went missingclose to Mount Everest's peak has been found dead. On Wednesday (May 22), 40-year-old Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui and his 44-year-old Nepali guide Nawang Sherpa went missing when Kirui was attempting to become the first African to ascend Mount Everest without the use of oxygen.
Kirui's death on Everest is the fourth reported fatality this week. A Romanian climber, a British climber and his Nepalese guide were discovered dead on Tuesday.
A local tourist official told the AFP news agency that the search team that had been sent to find the two had not yet located the guide. Even for seasoned climbers, scaling the world's tallest mountain, Everest is regarded as exceedingly dangerous and challenging.
According to the Himalayan Times, Sherpa notified the base camp that Kirui had exhibited "abnormal behaviour" and had "refused to return and even consume bottled oxygen". Base camp authorities informed the newspaper that contact with the two was lost soon after the message. According to Kipkemoi Limo, a close climbing companion of Kirui's, he passed away after a fall.
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He further mentioned that his friends and relatives are asking if Kirui approved of his burial on Mount Everest or if he wanted his remains to be returned to Kenya, which will cost $190,000.
Before his ascent, Kirui told the BBC last week that he had done considerable physical training.
Kirui had said that he was sure he could climb Everest without using more oxygen. But in case he had any problems, he toldthe BBC thatSherpa would offer emergency oxygen assistance and that he had emergency evacuation cover.
Kirui worked for one of Kenya's largest banks as a banker.
The community of Kenyan mountain climbers was shocked to learn of his passing. "Our brother now rests on the mountain. It's been a long night," fellow Kenyan mountaineer James Muhia, who had been sharing regular updates about Kirui's attempt, said on X.
(With inputs from agencies)