KATHMANDU - Famous Swiss climber Ueli Steck, popularly known as the Swiss Machine for his rapid climbs, died on Sunday after falling to the foot of Mount Nuptse, Nepalese officials and expedition organizing company said.

It is the first death this spring in the region of Qomolangma - known as Everest in the West - according to Nepal's Department of Tourism, which issues permits for mountain climbing.

Steck, 40, was heading toward camp 2 from camp 1 of Qomolangma. The camp also serves as a base for climbing the 7,855-meter Nuptse, where he fell 1,000 meters to the foot of the mountain, according to Khem Raj Aryal of the department's mountaineering division.