By
Tourism Times
Published at : 16 Jan 2026, 6:22 PM
KATHMANDU: A Sherpa climber has died and an Iranian alpinist is missing on Mt. Makalu after a team from Makalu Adventure reportedly reached the summit of the world’s fifth-highest mountain.
According to sources, Phurba Ongel Sherpa died after falling from above Camp IV at approximately 7,500 meters while descending from the summit. In a separate incident, Iranian climber Abolfazl Gozali went missing near Camp IV during his descent.
The summit was reached in two groups on Thursday. Record-holding climber Sanu Sherpa and Abolfazl Gozali summited at 10:27 a.m. Phurba Ongel Sherpa and another Sherpa climber reached the top a few hours later.
The accidents occurred during the descent. Sources state that Sanu Sherpa and Gozali were descending near Camp IV when Sanu noticed his younger brother, Phurba Ongel, in distress above them. Sanu instructed Gozali to wait while he went to assist. After reaching the site of Phurba Ongel's fall, Sanu returned to find Gozali missing from his assigned location.
Sanu Sherpa subsequently descended safely to Base Camp and is now coordinating search and rescue operations. Makalu Adventure is yet to release any statements regarding the incident.
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