Two Indian Climbers Die Amid Record-Breaking Everest Season, Sparking Overcrowding Debate

On May 21-22, 2026, Indian climbers Arun Kumar Tiwari (53) and Sandeep Are (47) died while descending from Mount Everest’s summit via Nepal’s south side. Both had reached the peak—Tiwari on May 21, Are on May 20—before succumbing to altitude-related illnesses.

Two Indian Climbers Die Descending Mount EverestRecord Mount Everest Rush Sees 2 Climbers Die After Summit PushTwo Indian Climbers Die During Descent From Everest Summit, Official SaysSouth China Morning Post

Tourism officials reported a preliminary 275 summits on May 20, eclipsing the previous single-day record of 354 set in 2019. By late May, more than 600 climbers—clients and guides—had reached the summit, and a record 492 (or 494) foreign permits were issued. The Tibetan north-face route remained closed, while Nepal raised permit fees and tightened allocation rules to curb the surge of climbers drawn by lower costs and improved logistics.

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Pioneer Adventures director Nivesh Karki said Tiwari collapsed near the Hillary Step while four Sherpas attempted a rescue, suspecting high-altitude pulmonary edema. Are developed snow blindness after the summit, was lowered from the South Summit by five Sherpas, and died at Camp II shortly thereafter. Retrieval remains difficult.

Two Climbers Die Descending from Summit of EverestTwo Indian Climbers Die Descending Mount EverestTwo Indian climbers die on Everest; Third being rescued from South ColTwo Indian Climbers Die During Descent From Everest Summit, Official Says

Nepal’s Department of Tourism, led by director Himal Gautam, confirmed the fatalities and said rescue teams had exhausted all options. The Expedition Operators Association, headed by secretary-general Rishi Bhandari, pledged continued body recovery and reiterated plans to tighten permit allocations and raise fees. Veteran Sherpa Kami Rita, who logged a record 32nd summit earlier this month, warned the route was “very crowded” and urged authorities to admit only “climbers of quality” with a cap on numbers.

Two Indian Climbers Die During Descent From Everest Summit, Official Says

Summit counts vary between a preliminary 275 and a pending final tally; permit totals are reported as 492 or 494. Causes of death are described as illness, high-altitude pulmonary edema, and snow blindness, reflecting differing descriptions across sources.

Two Climbers Die Descending from Summit of Everest

Overcrowding heightens bottlenecks in the death zone, increasing rescue difficulty and fatality risk. Nepal has signaled tighter permit controls, higher fees, and possible climber caps for the next season to mitigate congestion.

“Unable To Save Them”: Two Indian Climbers Die During Everest Descent After Reaching Summit

• "They fell ill while descending at high altitude. We are working out how to retrieve the bodies." — Nivesh Karki, Director, Pioneer Adventures

Two Climbers Die Descending from Summit of Everest

• "It was very crowded this year compared to last year because there was more clients." — Kami Rita Sherpa, record-holding Sherpa

South China Morning Post

• "They should let in only climbers of quality – there should be a limit." — Kami Rita Sherpa

Al Jazeera (website)

• "It never gets any easier or any less frightening. It’s the tallest mountain in the world and with it comes an incredible sense of majesty." — Kenton Cool, British guide

Reuters