'He took a fall': Mountain climber Cheruiyot Kirui's family speaks on his death

The family of the late mountain climber Cheruiyot Kirui has expressed grief over the passing of their son who tragically passed away on Wednesday during an expedition of Mt. Everest.

In a statement on Friday, Kirui's kin confirmed that the mountain climber and his sherpa guide took a fall while attempting to scale the mountain without using supplementary oxygen.

"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.  

"His 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."

Kirui's kin subsequently extended condolences to the mountain climber's friends and colleagues and to the family of Nawang Sherpa who has yet to be found by mobilised search parties.  

"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.