Daijiworld Media Network – Kathmandu
Kathmandu, May 22: Two Indian mountaineers died while descending from Mount Everest after successfully reaching the summit during the ongoing spring climbing season in Nepal, officials said on Friday.
The deceased climbers were identified as Arun Kumar Tiwari and Sandeep Are.
According to Rishi Bhandari, secretary general of the Expedition Operators Association of Nepal, Sandeep Are reached the summit of the world’s highest peak on Wednesday, while Arun Kumar Tiwari scaled the 8,848.86-metre mountain on Thursday evening around 5.30 pm.
Officials said both climbers reportedly suffered severe exhaustion during their descent despite rescue efforts by Sherpa guides accompanying them.
Bhandari said Are became critically fatigued while returning from the summit. Sherpa guides reportedly rescued him from the Balcony area and brought him down to the South Col overnight, but efforts to save him were unsuccessful.
Tiwari, who was descending with two experienced Sherpa guides after completing the summit, also reportedly became exhausted near the Hillary Step. Despite repeated rescue attempts, he could not be brought back safely.
Authorities said the exact time of Tiwari’s death during the descent remains unclear.
With the latest incidents, the death toll on Mount Everest during the current climbing season has risen to five. Three Nepali climbers had died earlier during the expedition period.
The tragedy comes just days after a record-breaking achievement on Everest, where 274 climbers successfully reached the summit from the Nepal side in a single day on Wednesday — the highest number of ascents recorded in one day during an Everest season.
Officials said a total of 502 climbers have obtained permits for Everest expeditions during the spring 2026 climbing window.
The previous one-day summit record was set in May 2019, when 223 climbers reached the top from the Nepal side.
Nepal, home to eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains, continues to attract mountaineers from across the globe, with Everest expeditions remaining a major contributor to the country’s tourism economy.