KATHMANDU: An Irish climber died on Mt Everest while attempting to scale the world’s highest peak from Tibetan side early this morning, according to expedition organisers.

“It is with the greatest sadness that we have to confirm that Kevin Hynes from Galway, Ireland, one of our Everest team members, has passed away,” the 360 Expeditions said in a statement.

“Kevin (56) was one of the strongest and most experienced climbers on our team and had previously summited Everest South and Lhotse,” it added.

Kevin had reached Camp III at 8,300 m on Wednesday. “Yesterday, while our summit climbers were heading higher, Kevin started his descent. He was accompanied by experienced guide, Dawa Sangee, who himself has summited Everest South twice, Everest North and Makalu twice,” it said.

Kevin passed away in his tent at the North Col at 7,000 m in the early hours (Nepali time) this morning, it added.

“His wonderful wife, Bernadette and two children, Erin and James are comforted by all the communication that Kevin sent out from his expedition, letting them know that -- this was probably the most fun he had had on any one of his expeditions, the team was amazing and that he was loving being with Rolfe Oostra."

Efforts were underway to bring his body to base camp, the officials said.