Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Five Die on Everest Amid Record 274 Summits, Sherpa Warns

5/23/2026

24 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Arun Kumar Fatality

Arun Kumar Tiwari (53) collapsed near the Hillary Step from high-altitude pulmonary edema and died, while Sandeep Are (47) developed snow blindness after the South Summit, was rescued to Camp II by five Sherpas, and died on May 22, 2026.
The season’s death toll rose to five as a record 274 climbers summited on May 20, 2026.
Veteran Kami Rita Sherpa warned that expanding permits increase risk.

Summary

Everest Permits Surge

The 2026 climbing season began later because a massive serac threatened the main summit route.
Nepal issued a record 492 foreign Everest permits, the highest number ever authorized.
Authorities tightened climbing controls and raised fees to curb overcrowding.
A temporary “city of tents” was set up at the mountain’s base for climbers and staff.
The northern (Tibet) side of Everest stayed closed after Chinese officials barred access.

History

Historical Context

In May 1996, eight climbers died after Adventure Consultants and Mountain Madness sold dozens of permits and Nepal logged only 30 summits that day. The disaster showed how permit-driven crowds strain safety, a risk also seen in avalanches of 1970 and 1974. In 2026 Nepal issued a record 492 foreign permits, prompting stricter fees, temporary base-camp villages, and warnings from Sherpa Kami Rita.

1 of 3

Arun Kumar Fatality

Arun Kumar Tiwari (53) collapsed near the Hillary Step from high-altitude pulmonary edema and died, while Sandeep Are (47) developed snow blindness after the South Summit, was rescued to Camp II by five Sherpas, and died on May 22, 2026.
The season’s death toll rose to five as a record 274 climbers summited on May 20, 2026.
Veteran Kami Rita Sherpa warned that expanding permits increase risk.

1 / 3