Bengal climber, a Filipino man died during Everest expedition, first fatalities of 2025

Two mountaineers — one from India and one from the Philippines — have died on Mount Everest, becoming the first fatalities of the 2025 March–May climbing season. Authorities in Nepal confirmed the deaths on Friday.

Subrata Ghosh, a 45-year-old climber from India and a resident of West Bengal's Ranaghat, died on Thursday while descending from the summit of the 8,849-metre (29,032 feet) peak. According to Bodhraj Bhandari of Snowy Horizon Treks and Expedition, Ghosh died below the Hillary Step. "He refused to descend from below the Hillary Step," Bhandari said. No further details were provided about the circumstances leading to his death.

The Hillary Step is a near-vertical rock face located just before the summit in a section known as the 'death zone' — the area above 8,000 metres where oxygen levels are insufficient to support human life for long periods. Bhandari stated that efforts are underway to bring Ghosh’s body down to base camp, and the cause of death will be determined after a post mortem.

Philipp II Santiago, also 45, from the Philippines, died late on Wednesday at the South Col, the final high-altitude camp before the summit. According to Himal Gautam from Nepal’s tourism department, Santiago was ascending when he reached the fourth camp and died while resting in his tent. Santiago and Ghosh were both part of the same international expedition organised by Snowy Horizon Treks and Expedition.

Nepal has issued 459 permits to climb Mount Everest during the ongoing season, which concludes in May. Nearly 100 climbers and their guides have already reached the summit this week. According to the Himalayan database and climbing officials, at least 345 climbers have died on Everest since summit expeditions began over a century ago. Climbing and trekking activities remain major contributors to Nepal’s economy.