Two Indian climbers died while descending from Mount Everest after reaching the summit on May 21. The tragic incident has raised fresh concerns over safety during Nepal’s busy Everest spring climbing season amid rising fatalities.
Two Indian mountaineers lost their lives while descending from Mount Everest after successfully reaching the summit, Nepal tourism officials confirmed on Friday. The deaths occurred during the ongoing spring climbing season, which has already witnessed several fatalities on the world’s highest mountain.
According to officials from Nepal’s Department of Tourism, Arun Kumar Tiwari and Sandeep Are summited Mount Everest on May 21 before encountering severe health complications during their descent from the 8,849-meter peak.
Himal Gautam, Director of Nepal’s Department of Tourism, said the exact causes of death are still under investigation. Authorities received details of the incident from the Everest Base Camp, where rescue and monitoring operations are being coordinated throughout the climbing season.
Local expedition reports stated that Arun Kumar Tiwari died near the Hillary Step, a dangerous rocky section located just below the summit of Everest. He was reportedly being assisted by four Sherpa climbers while descending when his condition deteriorated.
Sandeep Are reportedly suffered from snow blindness shortly after reaching the summit. Rescue teams managed to bring him down from the South Summit area, but despite intensive efforts by five Sherpa rescuers, he died at Camp II during the evacuation process.
The tragedy has once again highlighted the extreme dangers associated with climbing Mount Everest, particularly during descent, when climbers often face exhaustion, oxygen shortages, freezing temperatures, and rapidly changing weather conditions.
Officials said the Everest spring climbing season has now recorded five deaths on the mountain alone, while the overall number of fatalities across Nepal’s Himalayan peaks has reached seven this season. Earlier, three Nepali climbers had also died during Everest expeditions.
Despite the risks, Everest continues to attract climbers from across the world. Nepal issued a record 492 climbing permits to foreign mountaineers for the current spring season. Tourism officials stated that nearly 600 climbers, including Sherpa guides and permit holders, had successfully summited Everest by Thursday.
The increasing number of climbers has intensified debates about overcrowding, safety management, and rescue preparedness on the mountain. Experts have repeatedly warned that congestion near the summit area can increase the risk of altitude sickness, fatigue, and fatal delays during descent.
This year’s climbing season also faced logistical challenges due to flight disruptions linked to tensions in West Asia involving the United States and Iran. Additionally, Nepal increased Everest royalty fees, yet demand for climbing permits remained exceptionally high.
Meanwhile, Nepal celebrated another historic achievement in mountaineering as legendary Sherpa climber Kami Rita Sherpa returned to Kathmandu after scaling Mount Everest for a record 32nd time. Expedition officials confirmed that the 56-year-old reached the summit on May 17, extending his own world record for the highest number of Everest ascents.
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The deaths of the two Indian climbers have cast a shadow over the successful summit season and renewed discussions about climber safety, medical preparedness, and the growing pressures on Everest expeditions in Nepal.
