Foreign Ministry confirms death of Malaysian climber on Mount Denali

KUALA LUMPUR: The Foreign Ministry has confirmed that a Malaysian climber has passed away during an expedition on Mount Denali in Alaska, United States, through the Consulate General of Malaysia in Los Angeles.

In a statement on Saturday (June 1), the ministry reported that the consulate general had been in touch with the next of kin of the deceased and was providing consular assistance.

“The Consulate General of Malaysia is also in touch with local authorities, and efforts to bring down the body are ongoing, depending on weather conditions,” read the statement.

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The ministry also confirmed that two other Malaysian climbers had been hospitalised and were receiving appropriate medical treatment.

The consulate general was closely monitoring their health and providing consular assistance, adding that updates would be provided periodically.

Meanwhile, the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, sent its condolences to the family and friends of the Malaysian climber who tragically lost his life on Mount Denali, Alaska.

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“We are grateful to the @NatlParkService (National Park Service) for evacuating and rescuing another Malaysian climber,” it added in the post on X.

Alpine Club Malaysia, in a Facebook post, said that the climber, Zulkifli Yusuf, 37, reportedly died at 6am (local time) on May 29 while taking shelter in a snow cave known as the ‘Football Field’.

“The cause of death is suspected to be high-altitude cerebral oedema and hypothermia, and will be confirmed through a post-mortem. The body is still at the scene and the recovery process may take some time, depending on weather conditions,” said the club.

The second climber, Zainudin Lot, 47, was rescued on May 31 and is currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Talkeetna, Alaska.

“His condition is stable, and he has frostbite on both hands,” it added.

On May 31, Denali National Park & Preserve confirmed that their rescue team had rescued the first of the three stranded climbers, Muhammad Illaham Ishak, 47, on May 28. – BK