The famous feature of Mount Everest, a near-vertical 12m (39ft) rocky outcrop, known as the Hillary Step has collapsed, reported BBC quoting mountaineers in the region.

The mountaineers in the region suspect that the last great challenge before reaching the top of the world's highest peak may have fallen victim to Nepal's devastating 2015 earthquake.

Located on the mountain's southeast ridge, the step was named after Sir Edmund Hillary, who was the first to scale it in 1953.

The BBC reported that one British mountaineer Tim Mosedale confirmed the news of the Step's demise on Facebook after reaching the summit on 16 May which he said was "the end of an era".

"It could well just be gravity, but I would suspect the earthquake was the cause," BBC quoted Mosedale as saying.

After the devastating earthquake of 2015, American Himalayan Foundation had posted pictures, in May 2016, that showed the Hillary Step had changed shape. However, it could not be confirmed due to snow. This year, with less snow, it was clear the Step had gone, reported BBC.

Mt Everest on Sunday had claimed its fourth victim in 22 days after two mountaineers—an American and a Slovakian—died near the summit of the world’s tallest peak.