Two South Korean climbers die in the Himalayas

Two South Korean climbers die in the Himalayas

2011-11-13 07:23:37 GMT+7 (ICT)

SEOUL (BNO NEWS) -- Two South Korean climbers were killed on Friday while trying to scale the Mount Cholatse in the Nepalese Himalayas, local media reported on Saturday.

The Korean Alpine Federation (KAF) said 43-year-old Kim Hyung-il, the leader of the team, and Chang Ji-myeong fell to their deaths on Friday while trying to reach the top of the 6,440-meter (21,130-feet) high mountain.

The two had set out to reach Cholatse's summit in 36 hours and were killed at an altitude of about 5,100 meters (16,730 feet), the Yonahp news agency reported on Saturday. The bodies were found after other members of the team went out searching for them.

The incident happened weeks after three South Korean climbers went missing in Nepal's Mount Annapurna on October 18. The KAF said Kim had taken part in the search and rescue effort.

The three missing people are presumed dead after falling into a deep crevice. Rescue workers called off the search late last month and funerals for the men were held in Seoul on November 3.

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