A 50-year-old Singaporean man, Lau Wee Seng, died at an altitude of approximately 6,000 metres on Mount Manaslu in Nepal while descending from Camp II during an acclimatisation rotation, according to multiple reports from Nepal-based media outlets including The Himalayan Times.
Mount Manaslu Expedition Details and Timeline
The expedition began in Kathmandu on Sept 2, according to Lakpa Sherpa, the founder of 8K Expeditions, the company Lau was travelling with. Lau hiked up to Mount Manaslu’s Camp Two on Sept 16 and stayed there overnight. He started descending from the camp on the morning of Sept 17 after feeling uncomfortable during the acclimatisation climb.
Did you know? At 8,163 metres above sea level, Mount Manaslu is the eighth-highest mountain in the world. It is located roughly 140km to 180km north-west of the Nepalese capital, Kathmandu.
Emergency Response and Recovery Efforts
During the descent from Camp II, Lau sat down to rest and lost his pulse within a minute, according to Lakpa. He was attended to by a doctor and other climbers before he passed away. The Nepal Tourist Police told The Straits Times that they were informed of the incident by 8K Expeditions on the morning of Sept 17 and referred the case to the Nepal Tourism Board, which confirmed the fatality.
The Himalayan Times reported that Lau’s family has been informed of the incident. A helicopter has been mobilised to transport his body back to Kathmandu, though the operation has been hampered by poor weather conditions on the mountain, according to 8K Expeditions founder Lakpa Sherpa.
Potential Causes and Mountain Conditions
While the official cause of death has not been formally confirmed, initial assessments indicate that Lau may have suffered a heart attack. At high altitudes, sudden physical distress during descents from acclimatisation rotations can present severe medical emergencies.
Compounding the difficult conditions on the mountain, an avalanche had disrupted rope-fixing work above Camp III on the morning of Sept 16, according to reporting by The Himalayan Times. The Singapore Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the High Commission of Singapore in New Delhi have been contacted by The Straits Times for further information regarding consular assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where did the incident take place?
The incident occurred on Mount Manaslu in Nepal at an altitude of around 6,000 metres during a descent from Camp II.
Who was managing the expedition?
The 50-year-old Singaporean was travelling with 8K Expeditions.
What is the current status of the recovery?
A helicopter has been mobilised to bring the man’s body back to Kathmandu, though poor weather conditions on the mountain have delayed the process, according to 8K Expeditions.
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