Nepal has hit back at accusations that poor management has contributed to the growing number of climbers losing their lives on Mount Everest this season.
So far there have been 11 deaths, including British climber Robin Haynes Fisher, 44, who died just after reaching the summit on Saturday. Many climbers have complained of overcrowding.
Irishman Kevin Hynes died just below the summit on Friday and American Christopher John Kulish was the latest to die on Monday.
Last week an Australian man was rescued by local sherpas and brought down to base camp in a critical condition. He is now expected to make a full recovery.
Nepal tourism department’s director general Dandu Raj Ghimire offered ‘heartfelt condolences to those who’ve passed away and prayers to those who are still missing.’
"Mountaineering in the Himalayas is in itself an adventurous, complex and sensitive issue requiring full awareness yet tragic accidents are unavoidable," he said.
He said 381 people had climbed Everest, but due to fast changing severe weather, the number of people stuck on routes had been ‘higher than expected,’ leading to ‘gridlock’ in some cases.
Haynes Fisher was eportedly critical of the high number of climbers on the mountain shortly before he died. To highlight the problem, Canadian film-maker Elia Saikaly posted a photo of climbers, walking just metres away from the body of a dead climber.
