Death toll reaches 20 as British climber Robin Fisher dies on Mt Everest

KATHMANDU: A British climber died while returning from the summit of Mt Everest early this morning taking the death toll on different mountains above 8,000 metres to 20 in the spring climbing season.

Meera Acharya, Director at the Department of Tourism, said that Robin Haynes Fisher from the UK breathed his last at 8,600 m when he fell ill while returning from the summit of the world’s highest mountain.

According to Murari Sharma, Managing Director at Everest Pariwar Treks, the 44-year-old climber was part of the six-member expedition led by Dani Fuller.

“The climbers along with his Sherpa guide made it to the summit at around 8:30 am,” Sharma said, adding that Fisher along with Jangbu Sherpa complained of illness on the descent.

The climber died below the summit point while Sherpa was rescued to the lower camp, he added.

With the latest fatality, the death toll on different mountains above 8,000 m has reached 20 in the spring season, officials have confirmed. “The season witnessed 10 deaths on Mt Everest, four on Mt Makalu and three deaths on Mt Kanchenjunga as well as one each on Mt Lhotse, Mt Annapurna and Mt Cho Oyu till date.”

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