GEORGE TOWN: The body of Malaysian climber Zulkifli Yusuf, 37, who died during a climbing expedition on Mount Denali, Alaska, North America, has arrived safely back in the country on Saturday (June 15) morning.
The Korean Airlines cargo plane (KE373) carrying the body landed at Penang International Airport (LTAPP) at 8.42am.
His body began its journey home from Anchorage, Alaska 7.15am on Wednesday (June 12), with transit flights in Los Angeles and Incheon, South Korea.
The hearse was seen entering the Air Cargo Complex in Bayan Lepas at 8.37am and left the complex at 10am, to be taken to his hometown in Taiping, Perak for the burial.
Zulkifli's final journey was accompanied by his father Yusuf Abdullah, his siblings, relatives and friends, as well as representatives from the Alpine Club Malaysia (ACM).
Zulkifli, the eldest of five siblings, was taken to his family home in Kampung Temerlok before being brought to the Al Mahmudiah Mosque in Kampung Temerlok, Trong for prayers. He is expected to be buried after the Zohor prayers.
ACM previously informed that the process of bringing the body home was done in cooperation with the insurance company, funeral management agent, the Consulate General of Malaysia in Los Angeles, USA, and representatives of the Alpine Club.
On June 1, ACM announced that one of the three Malaysian climbers stranded at an altitude of 19,700 feet on Mount Denali in Alaska, USA, had died since May 28 during their climb on the highest mountain in North America.
The club reported that Zulkifli died at 6am on May 29 (local time) while sheltering in a snow cave known as Football Field. – Bernama
