2 hikers die after climbing mountain in Nepal

By Berk Kutay Gokmen

ISTANBUL (AA) - Two climbers, one French and the other a South Korean national, died in Nepal following separate expeditions to Mount Ama Dablam in the Himalayas, hiking officials said on Monday.

The 65-year-old French climber, Hugo Lucio Colonia, was injured on the head by a falling piece of ice during his expedition last week, news outlet Firstpost reported.

According to Subash Shrestha of the Himalayan Vision Treks and Expedition company, Lazaro died in a hospital after being rescued by a helicopter shortly after he was injured.

Separately, 66-year-old South Korean hiker Hong Khy Park died on Sunday during his expedition to the mountain.

According to Homnath Bhattarai from the J’Vill Nepal Treks company, he was climbing with five others when he collapsed.

Ama Dablam, towering at 6,814 meters (22,356 feet) in Nepal's Solukhumbu district, is famous for its striking appearance and steep inclines.

Known as the “Matterhorn of the Himalayas,” it attracts seasoned climbers looking for a tough challenge without the extreme heights of the world’s tallest mountains.

This autumn, Nepal has granted approximately 400 permits for Ama Dablam expeditions, which will conclude next month.