KATHMANDU, Nepal — A huge queue of climbers has formed near the summit of Mount Everest as expedition organizers and local media reported as many as six deaths on the world’s highest mountain.
More than 200 climbers were taking advantage of clear weather late this week to attempt to summit from both Nepal and China, but teams had to line up for hours to reach the top — risking frostbite and altitude sickness.
The latest victim was named as Kevin Hynes, 56, from Ireland, who died in his tent at 7,000 meters on Friday, the Guardian reported, having turned back before reaching the summit.
The Guardian named three other fatalities as Kalpana Das, 49, and Nihal Ashpak Bagwan, 27, both Indian, and Ernst Landgraf, an Austrian.
Expedition organizers also named American Donald Lynn Cash, 55, who collapsed at the summit on Wednesday as he was taking photographs, and Indian Anjali Kulkarni, also 55, who died while descending after reaching the top.
Cash became ill at the summit and was treated there by his two Sherpa guides, one of the officials said. “He got high altitude sickness on top of Everest,” said Pasang Tenje Sherpa, head of Pioneer Adventure, which provided the guides.
“When he was on the top he just fell. The two Sherpas who were with him gave CPR and massages,” he said. “After that he woke up, then near Hillary Step he fell down again in the same manner, which means he got high altitude sickness.”
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