2 climbers die on Everest as record-holder warns of overcrowding

World 2 Mount Everest climbers fall to their deaths as record-holder warns of overcrowding May 22, 2026 / 7:25 AM EDT / CBS/AFP Add CBS News on Google Two Indian climbers have died on Mount Everest during a record-breaking period of ascents via Nepal's southern route, as experts warn of overcrowding on the world's highest peak."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.He named them as Sandeep Are, who he said summited on May 20, and Arun Kumar Tiwari, who reached the peak on May 21.Nepal is home to eight of the world's 10 highest peaks and welcomes hundreds of adventurers each spring.At least five climbers have died during this Everest season, including the two Indians and three Nepalis. A U.S. and a Czech climber died on Mount Makalu earlier this month. Climbers walk in a long queue as they head to summit Mount Everest in the Solukhumbu district, also known as the Everest region, Nepal, May 18, 2026. Purnima Shrestha / REUTERS Nepali climber Kami Rita Sherpa, who scaled Everest for a record 32nd time earlier this month, returned to the capital Kathmandu on Friday, where he expressed concern about the experience of some climbers.Pictures posted by climbers show a long line of people climbing up fixed ropes, queueing in the icy, low-oxygen high-altitude zones."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," he told AFP.Records tumble On Thursday, a record number of climbers reached the 8,849-metre (29,032-foot) Himalayan peak from the Nepali side, according to tourism officials, who gave a preliminary total of 275 pending final confirmation.The peak can be tackled from both Nepal and the northern face in Tibet, but Chinese authorities have closed the latter route this year.The Guinness Book...