Indian mountaineer loses life while descending Everest’s dangerous Hillary Step

Two climbers — one from India and another from the Philippines — died on Mount Everest during the current March-May climbing season, according to Nepalese trekking officials.

Subrata Ghosh, a 45-year-old mountaineer from India, died on May 15 just below the Hillary Step while descending after successfully reaching the 8,849-meter (29,032 feet) summit.

"He refused to descend from below the Hillary Step," said Bodhraj Bhandari of Snowy Horizon Treks and Expedition, the Nepal-based company managing the climb.

No further details have been released about the circumstances surrounding his death.

Located in Everest’s notorious "death zone" — the perilous stretch between the South Col and the summit above 8,000 meters (26,250 feet) — the Hillary Step is known for its extreme lack of oxygen and life-threatening conditions.

"Efforts are underway to bring his body down to the base camp. The cause of his death will be known only after the postmortem," Bhandari added.

Meanwhile, Philipp II Santiago, also 45, from the Philippines, died on May 14 at the South Col while making his way up the mountain.

“Santiago was tired when he reached the fourth high camp and died while resting in his tent,” said Himal Gautam, an official with Nepal’s tourism department.

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

So far this season, Nepal has issued 459 permits for Everest ascents, with nearly 100 climbers and their Sherpa guides having already reached the summit this week.

Mountaineering remains a vital source of income and employment for Nepal.

According to the Himalayan Database and hiking authorities, more than 345 people have lost their lives on Everest in over a century of recorded climbing history.