KATHMANDU, APRIL 15
A 54-year-old Australian doctor died in Gorakshep in the Khumbu region while returning from Everest Base Camp.
Royal Mountain Travel confirmed that a doctor from Australia passed away in Gorakshep on April 11. Officials stated that the incident occurred as the team members were returning after completing their trek to Everest Base Camp.
Shiva Dhakal, Managing Director of RMT, acknowledged the incident but declined to provide details, saying, "I don't have details of the incident, please contact our office staff for further information."
When contacted, RMT officials quoted fellow trekkers as saying that the Aussie doctor felt unwell after having lunch in Gorakshep (5,180m), prompting immediate medical intervention. Unfortunately, he could not be saved, they shared.
The doctor was part of a nine-member trekking group organized by Canada-based G Adventures and locally managed by Kathmandu's Royal Mountain Travel. He was accompanied by his son during the EBC trek.
The team departed from Kathmandu to Ramechhap on April 2 and flew to Lukla on April 5 to begin their trek. His body was airlifted to Kathmandu on April 12 for postmortem.
Initial observations, as per fellow trekkers, suggest that cardiac arrest may have been the cause of death, but the postmortem at Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital will provide further details.
According to RMT officials, the Australian Embassy in Kathmandu was promptly informed of the incident. His family is now awaiting the postmortem report before proceeding with further arrangements, they added.
(Slightly revised with respect to the bereaved family's request - Ed)
