Annapurna I: Noel Hanna Dies; Anurag Maloo Pulled Alive from a Crevasse
| Event date | 17–20 April 2023 |
|---|---|
| Location | Annapurna I: Camp 4 (~7,100 m) and below Camp 3 (~5,600 m) |
| Type | Climbing accident; rescue and evacuation |
| Deaths | 1 (Noel Hanna) |
| Rescued | Anurag Maloo (crevasse), Baljeet Kaur (helicopter long-line), among others |
| Verification | Verified |
| Status | Historical / closed |
Mid-April 2023 on Annapurna I brought a death and two remarkable rescues within a few days. Noel Hanna (56), a Northern Irish mountaineer, died at Camp 4 at about 7,100 metres after summiting, becoming the first person from the island of Ireland to climb Annapurna.
On 17 April, Indian climber Anurag Maloo (34) fell into a deep crevasse at around 5,600 metres while descending. A team including specialist rescuers reached and lifted him out three days later, alive but in critical condition, in one of the most talked-about crevasse rescues in Himalayan climbing. Another Indian climber, Baljeet Kaur, summited without supplemental oxygen, became exhausted and ill on the descent and was plucked off the mountain by a helicopter long-line rescue the day after; she was flown to Kathmandu.
The week highlighted both the mountain’s hazards and how much Himalayan rescue capacity, particularly helicopter long-line work, has grown.
Sources
- The Kathmandu Post — Noel Hanna dies, Indian climber missing
- Alan Arnette — "Everest 2023: Deaths and Rescues on Annapurna"
- Outside — "There's Been Death and Drama on Annapurna This Week"
- ABC News (Australia) — Noel Hanna dies on Annapurna
Last reviewed 29 September 2026. Written in Merolog’s own words from the sources listed; where sources disagree, each figure is attributed rather than merged. Spotted an error or a newer figure? Leave a comment on this entry.