KATHMANDU: At least two mountain guides died of altitude-related sickness on Mt Makalu, the fifth highest mountain in the world at 8,485 metres, according to an expedition organiser.

Da Tenji Sherpa of Jubing -1, Solukhumbu and Lakpa Wangel Sherpa from Makalu – 5, Sankhuwasabha died at Camp II (6,700 m) after they complained of altitude sickness this morning, Parshuram Karki, an official at Thamserku Treks and Expeditions Pvt. Ltd., said.

They were part of an 11-member Amical Alpin Makalu Expedition – 2016, locally managed by Thamserku Treks.

The Sherpa duo died on the way to Camp II after fellow climbers descended them after complaining of altitude sickness, Karki quoted Radha Sharma Bhattarai, liaison officer stationed in the region, as saying.

“Efforts are underway to airlift their bodies to Kathmandu,” Karki added.

Earlier, two climbers were killed in Mt Shisha Pangma in Tibet while two trekkers died of altitude sickness in Mt Everest region.