Indian climber from Bengal dies after reaching Mount Everest summit, refused to descend Hillary Step

Subrata Ghosh, 45, who hailed from West Bengal, died on Thursday below the Hillary Step while returning after reaching the 8,849 metres (29,032 feet) peak.

"He refused to descend from below the Hillary Step," Reuters reported, quoting Bodhraj Bhandari of Nepal's Snowy Horizon Treks and Expedition organising company.

The Hillary Step is located in the 'death zone', which is an area between the 8,000-metre (26,250 ft) high South Col and the summit where the level of natural oxygen is scarce.

"Efforts are underway to bring his body down to the base camp. The cause of his death will be known only after post-mortem," Bhandari said.

Philipp II Santiago, 45, from the Philippines, died late on Wednesday at the South Col while he was on his way up, Reuters reported, quoting tourism department official Himal Gautam.

Santiago and Ghose were both members of an international expedition organised by Bhandari.

Nepal has issued 459 permits to climb Everest during the current season that ends in May. Nearly 100 climbers and their guides have already reached the summit this week.