Kathmandu, May 15 -- "It is estimated around 6% of cases become critically ill. By this point the body is starting to fail and there is a real chance of death.. the immune system is now spiralling out of control and causing damage throughout the body. It can lead to septic shock when the blood pressure drops to dangerously low levels and organs stop working properly or fail completely. Acute respiratory distress syndrome caused by widespread inflammation in the lungs stops the body getting enough oxygen it needs to survive."

-James Gallagher, BBC News

"In the death zone, climbers' brains and lungs are starved for oxygen, their risk of heart attack and stroke is increased, and their judgement quickly becomes impaired."

-Aylin Woodward i...