2 Indian climbers die descending Everest after summit

Two Indian mountaineers died while descending from Mount Everest after successfully reaching the summit, Nepali officials said on May 22, taking this climbing season’s death toll on the world’s highest peak to five.

The climbers were identified as Arun Kumar Tiwari and Sandeep Are. According to Rishi Bhandari, Are summited Everest on May 21, while Tiwari reached the peak on May 22 at around 5.30 pm.

Bhandari said both climbers suffered severe exhaustion during the descent despite extensive rescue efforts by Sherpa guides, who made repeated attempts to bring them down safely.

Are died on May 22 after reportedly becoming critically fatigued during the return journey. Sherpa guides managed to move him from the Balcony area to the South Col overnight, but efforts to save him were unsuccessful.

Tiwari, descending with two experienced Sherpa guides after his summit push, became exhausted near the Hillary Step. Despite multiple rescue attempts, he could not be brought back safely, officials said.

Authorities said it remains unclear exactly when Tiwari died during the descent.

The latest fatalities have pushed this season’s death toll on Everest to five, after three Nepali climbers died earlier during the expedition period.

The deaths came even as Everest recorded a major milestone this week. A record 274 climbers scaled the 8,848.86-metre peak from the Nepal side in a single day on May 21, the highest number of one-day ascents ever recorded during an Everest spring climbing season.

Officials said 502 climbers have received permits to attempt the Everest summit during the spring 2026 expedition window, underlining the mountain’s enduring draw despite mounting risks.