Bodies of 2 Indian Everest climbers brought to Base Camp II

Rescuers have brought down the bodies of two Indian climbers who died on Mt Everest last year to Base Camp II, from where they can be airlifted to Kathmandu.

The bodies were brought down as efforts were underway to retrieve the body of another Indian climber who died last week.

A team of Nepali rescuers retrieved the bodies of Gautam Ghosh and Paresh Nath from the Balcony, the final resting spot before climbers ascend the south summit of the 8,848-metre mountain.

They died last year but their remains could not be moved due to bad weather, according to tourism department officials.

"Both the bodies have (now) been brought to Camp II and they will be airlifted to Kathmandu soon," said Durga Dutta Dhakal, information office at the department.

The bodies were found above 8,000 metres - an altitude that marks the beginning of the "death zone".

The official said efforts were on the retrieve the body of Ravi Kumar, 27, who died last week after sumitting the world's highest peak. His body was spotted on Monday.

Kumar, a native of Moradabad district in Uttar Pradesh, died after falling into a crevice at an altitude of about 8,000 metres as he and the climbing guide got separated.

Nearly 300 people have died on Mt Everest since the first ascent to the peak was made in 1953. It is estimated that more than 200 dead bodies are still lying on the mountain.

Nepal has cleared 371 mountaineers to climb Mt Everest during the current season ending this month.

(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)