SINGAPORE - Three members of Singapore's Everest team, safe but shaken after a massive earthquake in Nepal on April 25, are scheduled to return home on Monday night.
The team's decision to return home was made in consultation with their families and sponsors. Teacher Yusrina Yaakob, 28, and brothers Ismail Latiff, 36, and Zulkifli Latiff, 42, both Singapore Civil Defence Force officers, from Aluminaid Team Singapura Everest 2015 were at the mountain's base camp when the earthquake shook Nepal and triggered avalanches on the world's higest peak.
A fourth member, economics graduate Seumas Yeo, was evacuated from Kathmandu on April 27 after sustaining an injury on April 15 during the team's Lobuche summit climb. He had surgery at Norvic International Hospital in Kathmandu and was there when the earthquake happened.
The team decided to end its mission on April 29.
Team captain Muhammad Hilwan Mohamed Idrus, 29, who is in Singapore, on Monday informed the media of his members' arrival.
Mr Hilwan could not make the trek because he suffered a stroke last year due to low oxygen levels and dehydration during a training expedition.
The team was hoping to scale Mount Everest to fly the Singapore flag for the SG50 celebrations.
In view of the devastation in Nepal, the team strongly feels that the focus should be on helping the people of Nepal.
"We are unable to participate in the rescue efforts on the ground in Nepal under the advice of our guides," Mr Hilwan said.
He however added that the team wants to play a part while back in Singapore and that they will work with their title sponsor, Aluminaid to partner with the various Singapore government agencies that have been rendering assistance.
