Two potters were killed while climbing the world’s fifth largest peak Mt Makalu in Sankhuwasabha district. 

Fifty-one-year-old Lakpa Sherpa, of Nurpu-5 in Makalu, and 35 year-old Dawa Tenji Sherpa, of Jubing-1 in Solukhumbu, were found dead inside camp two of Makalu base camp at an altitude of 8,300 meters, said DSP Gautam Kumar KC.

The two potters had come to climb the mountain from Thamserku Trekking Agency. Police have suspected that the duo could have possibly died due to lack of oxygen. 

The rescue operation has been hampered by snowfall, DSP KC said though a helicopter has been kept stand by.  He added that it is impossible to conduct the rescue operation through land-route and there is not telecommunications facility at the incident site.

A team of 11 Germans are in the expedition team, Thamserku Trekking Agency said. 

It has been learnt that deceased Lakpa had ascended the Mountain four times before, and it was Tenji’s first attempt. Mt Makalu, at 8,485 meters, is considered one of the most difficult mountains to climb.