KUALA LUMPUR – A Malaysian, Muhammad Hawari Hashim, who is hearing-impaired, is feared to have gone missing while descending Mount Everest after conquering the world’s highest peak.
The matter was confirmed by Malaysia Everest 2023 expedition leader Azim Afif Ishak, who said the search for Hawari was ongoing when contacted.
Hawari, 33, is believed to have gone missing while descending from Camp 4 to Camp 3 after reaching the summit, which is 8,848m above sea level, on Thursday.
Azim Afif said the climber has been missing for almost 24 hours and the last he heard from Hawari was when he was at Camp 4.
Meanwhile, Nepali English daily The Himalayan Times quoted the director of the expedition’s operator Pioneer Adventure, Nivest Karki, saying Hawari had been missing since yesterday and search efforts were still underway.
Hawari was in the first group to reach the summit, together with another climber, Kedah Civil Defence Force Director Awang Askandar Ampuan Yaacub.
However, Awang Askandar, 56, was confirmed yesterday to have died after falling while climbing the mountain. – Bernama, May 20, 2023
