Mirchi Bomb
In a heartbreaking turn of events atop the world’s highest peak, Indian climber Subrata Ghosh lost his life near the Hillary Step while descending Mount Everest. Ghosh, a 45-year-old schoolteacher from West Bengal, had successfully reached the 8,849-metre (29,032-foot) summit on Thursday as part of the Krishnanagar–Snowy Everest Expedition 2025.
According to officials from Nepal’s Snowy Horizon Treks and Expedition, the organizing agency, Ghosh exhibited signs of altitude sickness but reportedly refused to descend from below the Hillary Step, a perilous point situated within the mountain’s notorious “death zone” — an area above 8,000 metres where oxygen levels are critically low.
He showed symptoms of altitude sickness and exhaustion after summiting. Ghosh is said to have reached the top around 2 p.m., but complications arose during the descent. Despite the guide’s efforts, Ghosh was unable to continue.
His guide, Champal Tamang, safely returned to Camp IV and reported the incident. Efforts are now underway to retrieve Ghosh’s body and bring it down to base camp.
The news of his passing has deeply affected his family. His partner, Rumpa Das, is reported to be in physical shock following the tragic update. His brother-in-law, Samir Guha, confirmed that the rest of the family, including Ghosh’s sister and niece who were on a family trip nearby, are safe and on their way back to Kolkata.
Subrata Ghosh’s death comes just days after another climber, 45-year-old Philipp II Santiago from the Philippines, died at Camp IV while preparing for his summit attempt on May 14.
These two fatalities are the first reported during the spring climbing season of 2025. While over 50 climbers have successfully reached the peak this year, Everest continues to demand a heavy toll from those who dare to challenge it. More than 450 climbers have been issued permits to scale the mountain this season.
Mount Everest remains a place of awe and ambition — but also one where each step must be matched with caution, endurance, and sometimes heartbreaking sacrifice.
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