Everest record holder warns of Nepal danger as two Indian mountaineers die

play Live Sign upShow navigation menu.css-15ru6p1{font-size:inherit;font-weight:normal;}Navigation menuNewsShow more news sectionsAfricaAsiaUS & CanadaLatin AmericaEuropeAsia PacificMiddle EastExplainedOpinionSportVideoMoreShow more sectionsFeaturesEconomyHuman RightsClimate CrisisInvestigationsInteractivesIn PicturesScience & TechnologyPodcastsTravelplay Live Click here to searchsearchSign upNavigation menucaret-leftTrendingUS-Israel war on IranEbolaTracking Israel's ceasefire violationsRussia-Ukraine warDonald Trumpcaret-rightSport|Mount EverestEverest record holder warns of Nepal danger as two Indian mountaineers dieAt least 5 climbers have died during this Everest season, including the 2 Indians and 3 Nepalis, raising concerns about overcrowding. xwhatsapp-strokecopylinkgoogleAdd Al Jazeera on GoogleinfoMountaineers practise walking on a ladder during a training session at Everest Base Camp in Nepal [Purnima Shrestha/Reuters]By AFPPublished On 22 May 202622 May 2026Two 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. 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 United States and a Czech climber died on Mount Makalu earlier this month. Nivesh Karki, director at Pioneer Adventures, named the latest victims as Sandeep Are, who he said summited on May 20, and Arun Kumar Tiwari, who reached the peak on May 21. “They fell ill while descending at high altitude. We are working out how to retrieve the bodies,” Karki told the AFP news agency. 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. 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 of World Records lists the highest number to climb Everest in a single day as 354, in May 2019. Nepali tourism officials said the final number will be tallied after the climbs are verified, which require photographs and statements from the climber’s expedition company and guides. 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 ascents of the world’s highest peak by a non-Nepali. The high number of climbers has rekindled concerns about overcrowding on the mountain – especially if poor weather shortens the climbing window. The country has issued a record 492 Everest permits for foreigners this season, with a city of tents set up at the foot of the mountain for climbers and support staff. Approximately 600 people – including guides – have summited Everest since the start of this year’s spring climbing season in April. Advertisement AboutAboutShow moreAbout UsCode of EthicsTerms and ConditionsEU/EEA Regulatory NoticePrivacy PolicyCookie PolicyCookie PreferencesAccessibility StatementSitemapWork for usConnectConnectShow moreContact UsUser Accounts HelpAdvertise with usStay ConnectedNewslettersChannel FinderTV SchedulePodcastsSubmit a TipPaid Partner ContentOur ChannelsOur ChannelsShow moreAl Jazeera ArabicAl Jazeera EnglishAl Jazeera Investigative UnitAl Jazeera MubasherAl Jazeera DocumentaryAl Jazeera BalkansAJ+Our NetworkOur NetworkShow moreAl Jazeera Centre for StudiesAl Jazeera Media InstituteLearn ArabicAl Jazeera Centre for Public Liberties & Human RightsAl Jazeera ForumAl Jazeera Hotel PartnersFollow Al Jazeera English: