Prague mayor descends to base camp after climbing Mt Everest

The mayor of Prague, Pavel Bem, has descended to his base camp after reaching the top of Mount Everest on Friday, his assistant said on Sunday, adding that he has completed the most demanding part of the climb. Mr Bem, a senior figure in the Civic Democratic Party, became the tenth Czech to reach the world's highest peak. He was criticised both inside and outside his party for taking two months leave from his post as mayor of Prague.

Earlier this week, a Czech mountaineer, whose name remains unknown, died during the ascent of Mount Everest. According to the Foreign Ministry, the time and circumstances of the death of the 47-year-old Czech man are unclear. According to available information, he was the sole Czech in an international expedition and he died at a camp at 8,300 metres above sea level.