Finnish climber, Nepalese guide die while descending from top of world's 10th tallest mountain

KATHMANDU, Nepal – A Nepalese mountaineering official says a Finnish climber and his local guide died while descending from the summit of Mount Annapurna in the first casualties of the mountaineering season in the Himalayan nation.

Gyanendra Shrestha said attempts were being made to bring the bodies of Samuli Mansikka and Pemba Sherpa back to the base camp. They died Wednesday of causes that were not immediately known.

They were the first casualties of Nepal's spring climbing season that began this month and ends in May.

Annapurna is the world's 10th highest mountain.