Climbers Gregory Attard, Marco Cremona and Robert Gatt this morning became the first Maltese to conquer Mt Everest, the world's highest mountain, reaching the peak at 3.16 a.m. (Malta time).

The climbers said the climb to the top had been particularly tough because of a strong, biting cold wind, but they managed to plant a Maltese flag at the 'top of the world'. They then managed to safely climb down to Camp Four.

The Challenge 8000 team had been awaiting their chance to attempt the climb to the summit for days because of bad weather.

Last week, there had been hope of an early summit on Friday, however, a snowstorm derailed their plans.

The team is also made up of guide Victor Saunders and Manuel Morgado, a Brazilian climber.

Their climb up the 8,848-metre high mountain was the culmination of many months of preparation.

In September last year, the Challenge8000 team climbed Mount Cho Oyu., making the climbers the first Maltese to ever reach an 8,000metre peak. Cho Oyu, at 8,201 metres, is the sixth highest mountain in the world.

Parliamentary Secretary Clyde Puli and the Labour Party congratulated the team on its successes.

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