A Kenyan climber has died on Mount Everest, Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui officials said on Thursday, taking the season’s confirmed death toll on the world’s tallest mountain to three.
According to Reuters, Joshua Cheruiyot Kirui, 40, and his 44-year-old Sherpa guide, Nawang, had been missing above the Hillary Step since Wednesday morning.
Nepal’s Department of Tourism said Sherpa rescuers recovered Kirui’s body late on Wednesday at about 19 meters (62 feet) below the 8,849-meter peak.
“It is not clear whether they went missing before reaching the peak or after climbing,” Khim Lal Gautam, who heads the Expedition Monitoring and Facilitation Field Office at the base camp, told Reuters.
Kenya’s principal secretary for foreign affairs, Korir Sing’oei said he was devastated by the death of his friend, a banker with KCB Group.
“I have been following his exploits until this unfortunate end. He is a fearless, audacious spirit, and represents the indomitable will of many Kenyans. We shall miss him,” Sing’oei wrote on the social media platform X.
Kirui was attempting to reach the summit without supplemental oxygen, the climber wrote in his final post on Instagram.
“A no-oxygen attempt comes with its special preparations and risks, physically my body is ready,” he wrote from Everest base camp six days ago.
The KCB Group CEO Paul Russo described Kirui as a “true Kenyan hero”.
“Mr. Kirui was a rare professional banker who, over the years, literally carried Kenya’s and Africa’s flag to global heights in his mountaineering quest. He remains an icon and an inspiration to many,” he said.
