In a tragic turn of events, two Mongolian climbers, Usukhjargal Tsedendamba and Purevsuren Lkhagvajav, have been confirmed dead on Mt. Everest after reaching the summit on May 13. The climbers were reported missing on May 12 after setting out for the summit without personal guides and were later confirmed deceased on Friday.
Pemba Sherpa, Director at 8K Expeditions, revealed that summit photos retrieved from the climbers’ mobile phones showed the duo at the peak at 11:57 am on May 13, as reported by The Himalayan Times. The images provided crucial evidence that the climbers had successfully reached the top.
The bodies were discovered days apart. Outside Online reports that Usukhjargal Tsedendamba’s body was found near the south summit at around 28,000 feet on Friday, May 17. Purevsuren Lkhagvajav was later found near the Balcony area at approximately 27,200 feet.
Video footage recovered from the climbers indicated that they struggled during their descent, likely due to running out of oxygen. The harsh conditions on the mountain, including high winds and severe weather, complicated the search and recovery efforts.
The world’s tallest peak claims two more lives, adding to a long list of adventurers who never returned from the mountain’s slopes. According to Wikipedia, over 330 people have died attempting to reach—or return from—the summit of Mount Everest.
