A 58-YEAR-OLD
mountain guide has died after jumping from the highest point of Mount
Kilimanjaro—the Uhuru peak—killing himself in a manner which has left many
baffled.
The
resident of Marangu area in the Moshi Rural District of Kilimanjaro Region,
Thomas Meela reportedly took his own life through the dramatic and tragic jump
last Sunday.
He
reportedly dived from the mountain peak protruding at an elevation of 5,895
above sea level, which is also the highest point on the African continent.
 |
| Kilimanjaro Regional Police Commander, Khamis Issah |
The Kilimanjaro Regional Police
Commander, Khamis Issah, released a statement to that effect yesterday, saying
that there were some speculations that the late Meela was suffering from
mountain illness to an extent of developing dementia.
There is also the view that the guide could
intentionally have committed suicide. Meela was on a nine-day trekking
expedition on Mount Kilimanjaro, a journey which started at Marangu gate on the
12th of September but he met his death four days later.
The guide reportedly left his charge of guests
around the Uhuru peak where they camped, took a cigarette and lit it like he
was going to have a puff, before bidding fellow guides farewell. At first his
mates thought he was joking but when they realized he meant it they summoned
help.
However, before he could be contained, Meela took
onto his heels, rushing towards the very top of the mountain and jumped over
the cliff down into sharp rocks below. He died on the spot. -
Guardian
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