Tragic Mountaineering Accidents: Two Foreign Climbers Die During Separate Expeditions to Nepal's Ama Dablam

Mount Ama Dablam is visible behind Khumjung Village in Solukhumbu District.

Kathmandu:

Two international mountaineers have lost their lives in Nepal following separate climbing expeditions to Ama Dablam mountain in the Himalayas, according to hiking officials' statements on Monday.

French climber Hugo Lucio Colonia Lazaro, aged 65, suffered a fatal head injury when struck by falling ice. He was airlifted to Kathmandu last week, as reported by Subash Shrestha from the Himalayan Vision Treks and Expedition company.

Lazaro subsequently passed away while receiving hospital treatment.

In a separate incident, 66-year-old South Korean climber Hong Khy Park died on Sunday during his ascent of the mountain. Homnath Bhattarai from J'Vill Nepal Treks company stated that Park collapsed while climbing with five companions.

Standing at 6,814 meters (22,356 feet), Ama Dablam in the Solukhumbu region is relatively small but presents significant technical challenges to climbers. Frequently seen by hikers trekking to Mount Everest Base Camp, the peak has earned the nickname "Matterhorn of the Himalayas" due to its distinctive steep face and dramatic ridgelines.

For the current autumn climbing season, which concludes next month, Nepal has issued 400 permits for Ama Dablam ascents.

Trekking and mountaineering activities represent crucial sources of employment and income for this developing nation situated between China and India.

Earlier this month, another South Korean hiker died after climbing a trekking peak in the same region.