KATHMANDU, Sept. 17 (Xinhua) -- A Kenyan man has died due to suspected high altitude sickness near Mera Peak mountain in Nepal's Solukhumbu District, local authorities said here on Tuesday.
Police Inspector Uttam Karki said that the deceased was identified as Govind Laksman, of Indian origin.
"The Indian-origin Kenyan fell sick and apparently died at midnight on Monday while staying at a hotel in Mahakulung," the police officer told Xinhua by phone from the Solukhumbu District headquarters.
The hotel is located some 4,200 meters above sea level in the Mera Peak mountain area, around 350 kilometers east of Nepal's capital Kathmandu.
Local police have not been able to reach the incident site yet due to poor weather conditions, added Inspector Karki, noting that local authorities will send Laksman's remains to Kathmandu once weather conditions improve.
The incident took place when eight Kenyans were on a trek to Mera Peak, which is located in the same district as the world's highest mountain, Mt. Qomolangma.
The other seven Kenyans, who were rescued earlier on Tuesday, were airlifted to Kathmandu in the afternoon, according to district authorities.
Autumn is a popular trekking season in Nepal. Between September and November, thousands of trekkers flock to the country's various popular trekking routes, including the Qomolangma region. The autumn is also a popular season for mountaineers to attempt to summit smaller mountains. Enditem
