May 27: The search operation for a Bulgarian climber missing during his solo ascent of Mt Shishapangma in Tibetan autonomous region of China has been called off, his expedition team made the announcement after five days of futile search.

Petrov Petrov, a veteran climber who had been missing in the Himalayas for several days since May 5, is presumed to be dead. A joint rescue team of Simrik Air and Chinese officials had been searching for him since May 11. Simrik Air had said in a statement that it deployed its helicopters immediately for search operation upon a special request from the Embassy of the Republic of Bulgaria.

The 45-year-old climber had scaled 10 of the world's 14 highest peaks over 8,000 metres in the Himalayan and Karakoram mountains, according to a report published by AFP. The French news agency said that the climber was aiming to become the 20th person on earth to have conquered all 14 peaks over 8,000 metres without oxygen after climbing Everest next season.

"Members of Petrov's team last saw him alive by telescope on May 3 at 7,500 metres. He is considered to have been missing since May 5 when other team members -- who were a day behind him -- found his tent empty at the last camp before the summit," AFP wrote.

"We call the search over. Boyan is a legend. All of Bulgaria thanks you. This is the end," Kiril Petkov, a friend and member of Petrov's team, said in a message on Facebook.