KATHMANDU, Nepal: Two Indian climbers have died on Mount Everest during a record-breaking season of ascents via Nepal’s southern route, as experts and veteran mountaineers warn that severe overcrowding on the world’s highest peak is turning deadly.
Indian climbers Arun Kumar Tiwari and Sandeep Are died while descending Mt. Everest after successfully summiting. Sandeep Are died at Camp II due to health complications, while Arun Tiwari died near the Hillary Step despite rescue efforts by Sherpas. Both were among 274 climbers… pic.twitter.com/TATAP8Oj24
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The victims have been identified as Sandeep Are, who summited on May 20, and Arun Kumar Tiwari, who reached the peak on May 21. Both fell ill while descending at high altitude.
“They fell ill while descending at high altitude. We are working out how to retrieve the bodies,” Nivesh Karki, director at Pioneer Adventures, told AFP.
At least five climbers have died during this Everest season, including the two Indians and three Nepalis. Additionally, a US and a Czech climber died on Mount Makalu earlier this month.
Record ascents and growing concerns
On Thursday, a record number of climbers — a preliminary total of 275 — reached the 8,849-metre peak from the Nepali side, according to tourism officials. The Guinness World Record for the most Everest climbs in a single day remains 354, set in May 2019.
Nepali climber Kami Rita Sherpa, who scaled Everest for a record 32nd time this month, returned to Kathmandu on Friday and expressed serious concern about the experience level of some climbers.
“The expedition this time felt a bit crowded,” said Kami Rita Sherpa, dubbed the “Everest Man”. “The government should regulate this a bit… They should let in only climbers of quality, there should be a limit.”
Pictures posted by climbers show long lines of people queuing on fixed ropes in icy, low-oxygen high-altitude zones.
Nepal | Two Indian mountaineers, Arun Kumar Tiwari and Sandeep Are, died in Nepal while descending Mount Everest after reaching the summit. Both suddenly fell ill during their descent. The Everest climbing season death toll has now reached four.
#Nepal #sanewsmadhyapradesh pic.twitter.com/uLSVzgM8KN
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Record permits and closed routes
Nepal has issued a record 492 Everest permits for foreigners this season. The peak can also be tackled from the northern face in Tibet, but Chinese authorities have closed that route this year, funneling more climbers through Nepal.
Among the successful climbers on Friday was British guide Kenton Cool, who reached the top for the 20th time, extending his own record for the most Everest ascents by a non-Nepali.
2 Mount Everest climbers fall to their deaths as record-holder warns of overcrowding
https://t.co/jcjiH20olU— CBS Sacramento (@CBSSacramento) May 22, 2026
Nepali tourism officials said the final number of summits will be tallied after verification through photographs and statements from expedition companies and guides.
The high number of climbers has rekindled concerns about overcrowding, especially if poor weather shortens the already narrow climbing window, forcing more people onto the summit route at the same time.
