Body of retired Singaporean teacher, 76, found near Mount Everest

SINGAPORE – The body of retired teacher Harry Tan, 76, who went missing while hiking near Mount Everest, was found on Oct 4 after a search-and-rescue operation that lasted more than a week.

Mr Tan reportedly

went missing on Sept 26 near the 5,500m-high Kongma La Pass in Nepal,

which is south of Everest Base Camp.

In response to queries from The Straits Times, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) confirmed that Mr Tan’s body had been found.

“MFA extends its deepest condolences to the bereaved family and will continue to render consular assistance to them through the Singapore High Commission in New Delhi.

“The Ministry would like to express its appreciation to the Nepal authorities for their support in the search and rescue efforts,” the spokesperson added.

Friends of Mr Tan whom ST spoke to said he had fallen off a cliff, and efforts are now under way to retrieve his body.

Trekking websites describe the Kongma La Pass as a challenging route, at an altitude that is higher than Everest Base Camp.

It offers views of Mount Everest and is part of the Three Passes Trek that can take about two to three weeks to complete.

Mr Raj Tamang, 58, who hiked to Everest Base Camp with Mr Tan in 2019, said: “I’ve been in shock for the last nine days. I was hoping against hope; I thought if anyone could survive this, it was Harry.”

Mr Tamang, a Nepali who grew up in Singapore, said he got to know Mr Tan in 2015 during a golf tour in Nepal that he helped to organise for a group of golfers from a local golf club.

He added that Mr Tan had hit golf balls from Everest Base Camp during their 2019 hike, teeing off from a height of more than 5,000m. 

Mr Tamang, founder of trekking company Responsible Adventures, said Mr Tan was a “dear friend” and an extraordinary person who was very fit for his age and who took care of himself.

It was likely Mr Tan’s third trip to the Everest region, added Mr Tamang, who has nearly 40 years of experience guiding treks.

Mr Tan retired from a teaching position at NTU’s National Institute of Education (NIE) in 2010, but continued to lecture part-time from 2013 to 2020.

NTU extended its condolences to Mr Tan’s family, and said it is extending “all possible support in their time of need”.

“As a lecturer, Harry was a beloved teacher and mentor to many students and a supportive friend to his colleagues,” said a spokesperson for the university.

The Singapore Physical Education Association said Mr Tan had made impactful contributions as a lecturer at NIE.

“Harry will be fondly remembered as a passionate lecturer and mentor to many student teachers, many of whom are now dedicated PE (physical education) teachers themselves,” said the management committee of the association.

Dr Wan Rizal Wan Zakariah, an MP for Jalan Besar GRC, described Mr Tan as “a man of immense passion, strength and spirit”.

“His love for adventure and dedication to lifelong learning inspired so many of us,” said Dr Rizal, who was mentored by Mr Tan when he was a PE teacher-in-training.

“May his adventurous soul rest in peace. Thank you, Harry, for your impact on our lives.”

A former student of Mr Tan, who wanted to be known only as Mr Koh, said: “Mr Harry is a mentor and friend to many of us.”

The PE teacher added: “He always lent a listening ear. He will be sorely missed and remembered.” 

In May 2023, Singaporean climber Shrinivas Sainis Dattatraya, 39,

went missing after reaching the summit of Mount Everest

.

After reaching the top, he used a satellite phone and

sent a message to his wife

, saying he had come down with high-altitude cerebral edema, a severe type of altitude sickness.

He did not make it down the mountain, and a search-and-rescue team was not able to find him.

Additional reporting by Kolette Lim