18 April 2023 , 19:11
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A revered climber who conquered Mount Everest numerous times has tragically died.
Northern Irishman Noel Hanna, died in Nepal at Camp IV after he returned from the Mount Annapurna summit point on Monday.
Noel, from Dromara, County Down, had reached the summit of Everest an incredible 10 times.
He was the first person from the island of Ireland to successfully climb and descend from K2, the world’s second-highest mountain.
In tribute to Noel, a member of Mourne Mountain Adventures said: "Very saddened to hear of the passing of Noel Hanna this morning, local to the Mournes Noel was the first person from Ireland to successfully climb K2, and astonishingly he climbed the summit of Everest 10 times.
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Noel scaled Everest 10 times (noelhanna.com)"There is some peace in that he spent his last moments doing what he loved best, such a great man and one of N. Ireland’s finest Mountaineers.
"I had the pleasure of interviewing Noel on two occasions, he will be greatly missed by all that knew him.
"My condolences go out to his wife Lynne and the rest of his family, RIP Noel."
Record-holding Indian climber Baljeet Kaur was also reported missing near the camp while descending from the summit, and was presumed dead until she was found alive this morning, BelfastLive reported.
A third person, Indian climber Anurag Maloo, went missing after falling from 6,000m into a crevasse while descending from Camp IV the previous day.
Noel was a revered climber (noelhanna.com)Three Sherpa guides have also been missing for a week after falling into a crevasse on Everest.
Mount Annapurna is one of the world's tallest mountains and is located in the Himalayas. It stretches to just under five miles tall and reaches into the infamous 'death zone' where the oxygen becomes so thin that it cannot support human life for a sustained amount of time.
The deadly mountain has a higher death rate than Everest and is prone to avalanches.
SDLP Councillor Laura Devlin said: "This is awful news to wake to. Noel was an absolute gentleman who I first met way back during my Burrendale Gym days.
Annapurna is one of the world's tallest and most dangerous mountains (Getty Images/Cavan Images RF)"To say he was an athlete was an understatement. He was an incredible climber who climbed Everest many many times.
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"Noel was such an interesting person with so much life experience and always up for a chat. This news is devastating. I am thinking of Lynne and all their family and friends."
DUP MLA for Antrim Paul Frew said on Twitter: "So sorry to hear of the death of Noel Hanna from Northern Ireland who had just become the 1st Irish climber to summit Annapurna.
“Noel was an absolute legend climbing K2, Manaslu, and Everest 10 times! My thoughts & prayers are with his family at this sad time.”