The family of Cheruiyot Kirui, the Kenyan mountaineer who was found dead on Mt Everest, has expressed their grief over the devastating loss of their kin.
Cheruiyot died on Wednesday, May 22 as he attempted a daring mission to reach the summit of Mt. Everest without using supplementary oxygen.
The family, in a statement on Friday, May 24, says the mountaineer and his sherpa guide, Nawang Sherpa, suffered a fatal fall while attempting to ascend to the top of the highest peak.
“Cheruiyot’s body was discovered at an altitude of 8,800m, 48 meters from the summit. Whereas it is not possible to determine the exact sequence of events, we know that Cheruiyot and his sherpa guide, Nawang Sherpa, took a fall,” the statement read partly.
They also revealed Cheiruiyot — a banker — had lost communication with his base camp and a rescue team sprang into action to his last known location.
“Cheruiyot lost radio communication with base camp early morning of May 22, 2024 on his summit push. He was reported missing by his expedition company and immediately a team of rescue sherpas stationed at camp 4 were dispatched to the point of last contact,” his family said.
In their message, Kirui’s family extended their heartfelt condolences to the late climber’s friends, colleagues, and the family of Nawang Sherpa, who remains missing despite ongoing search efforts.
“The Search for Nawang Sherpa continues and we extend our heartfelt condolences to his family in Nepal and pray that he is found,” they said.
Prior to his demise, the late Cheruiyot had collected many achievements in his mountaineering journey including his summit to Mt. Manaslu, the eighth highest mountain in the world at 8,163 meters without supplemental oxygen, in September 2023, becoming the first African to do so.
He also did a six-day climb of Mount Stanley (5,109m), the highest peak in the Rwenzori Mountains, demonstrating his endurance and navigation skills in difficult conditions and unpredictable weather. The Rwenzori Mountains are renowned for their rugged and challenging terrain.
