WELLINGTON - Nine climbers were missing and believed dead near the summit of Mount Everest after being caught in a severe storm, other expeditions reported yesterday.
New Zealand expedition leader, Mr Peter O'Conner, reported from Everest that nine people were missing. According to Radio New Zealand, he said those missing on the 29,028 ft mountain included three Kazakhs, three Koreans, a German and a Sherpa.
Another New Zealand team leader, Mr Guy Cotter, criticised climbers for trying to reach the summit "when the winds are extremely high and the chances of surviving are quite low".