Cheruiyot Kirui, a Kenyan banker, attempting to climb to the top of Mount Everest, has been found dead near the summit of the highest mountain in the world, government officials said on Thursday.

According to Khim Lal Gautam, a government official at the mountain’s base camp, the body of Mr Kirui, who was a 40-year-old banker at Kenya Commercial Bank, was found on the mountain.

Considering the low oxygen level condition around the mountain at the moment, it is unclear if the body of Mr Kirui would be able to be recovered from the summit at that extreme altitude, VOA reported.

Reacting to the news in a post on X on Thursday, James Muhia, who is a fellow climber and had regularly shared updates about Mr Kirui’s attempt to scale through Mouth Everest, said, “It is a sad day” — Kenyans at home had closely monitored the attempt.

“It is a sad day,” Mr Muhia wrote on X, Thursday. “Our brother is now one with the mountain. It will be a difficult time. Go well, my brother.”

In a statement on X, Kenyan foreign ministry secretary, Korir Sing’oei, who had met Mr Kirui before he embarked on the trip to Nepal, described him as a fearless and audacious person.

“Really gutted by this news. I have been following his exploits until this unfortunate end. He is a fearless, audacious spirit and represents the indomitable will of many Kenyans. We shall miss him,” Mr Sing’oei said.