First Foreign Climber Dies on Everest During 2025 Push

The 2025 Everest spring climbing season has seen its first foreign casualty. Philipp II Santiago, a 45-year-old climber from the Philippines, died at Camp IV on the night of May 14 while preparing for his summit attempt. He was part of the Mountaineering Association of Krishnanagar: Snowy Everest Expedition 2025.

According to Bodhraj Bhandari, Managing Director at Snowy Horizon Treks, Santiago reached Camp IV late in the night and passed away shortly thereafter. The exact cause of his death remains unknown. Efforts are currently underway to bring his body down to base camp.

This incident marks the first death of a foreign climber on Mount Everest this season, as confirmed by Nepal’s Department of Tourism. Earlier in the season, two Sherpa support staff fell ill at Everest Base Camp and later died after being transported to HAMS Hospital in Kathmandu.

As summit bids continue, this tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the inherent risks associated with high-altitude mountaineering. Our thoughts are with Santiago’s family, teammates, and all those affected by this loss.