Renowned Irish mountaineer Noel Hanna has died hours after reaching the summit of one of the world’s highest mountains.

Tributes are pouring in for the County Down native – who was the first Irish person to successfully climb the world’s second-highest mountain K2.

He had also reached the peak of Mount Everest ten times in his lifetime.

He reached the summit of Annapurna yesterday; however, he died at a camp overnight after making his descent.

A second climber from India is reportedly missing after falling into a crevasse during the expedition.

Kilkeel-based guided hiking company Mourne Mountain Adventures paid tribute to Mr Hanna this morning.

“There is some peace in that he spent his last moments doing what he loved best,” they said.

“Such a great man and one of Northern Ireland’s finest Mountaineers.”

The company said he will be “greatly missed by all that knew him and offered its condolences to his wife Lunn and their family.

Annapurna is the world’s tenth-highest mountain and is located in west Nepal.

It is considered dangerous because of the frequent risk of avalanches.

More than 72 people have died on the mountain, according to hiking officials.

Two other Indian mountaineers have been rescued from the mountain this morning.