KATHMANDU - A Kenyan climber who went missing on Mount Qomolangma was found dead on Thursday, raising the death toll to three on the world's highest peak in the spring climbing season, a Nepali official said.

The search and rescue team found the body of 40-year-old Cheruiyot Kirui a few meters below the peak.

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"Kirui's dead body has been recovered by the rescue team. His guide, however, is missing," Khim Lal Gautam, field office chief of Nepal's Department of Tourism, told Xinhua from the base camp.

By Wednesday morning, over 500 climbers, including Sherpa guides, had submitted Mount Qomolangma during this season, according to Gautam

The Kenyan climber and his Nepali guide Nawang Sherpa were reported missing on Tuesday.

With the death of Kirui, three foreign climbers have been confirmed dead so far on Mount Qomolangma this season, said Gautam.

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"Similarly, three climbers, including two Sherpa guides and a British mountaineer, are missing," he added.

Mongolian mountaineers Usukhjargal Tsedendamba and Prevsuren Lkhagvajav died last week while descending from the top of the 8,848.86-meter-high Mount Qomolangma, which straddles Nepal and China.

By Wednesday morning, over 500 climbers, including Sherpa guides, had submitted Mount Qomolangma during this season, according to Gautam.