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Two Indian climbers have died while descending from Mount Everest, as the world's highest peak remains overcrowded with climbers this spring season.
Nepal this season witnessed a record influx of climbers, with revenue and permits tripling in comparison to previous years. The two Indian climbers lost their lives on their way back from the summit, the expedition organiser said. The Pioneer Adventures, the expedition organising agency, identified the victims as Arun Kumar Tiwari and Sandeep Are. As per the expedition organiser, Tiwari died near the Hillary Step, just below the summit, after falling ill during his descent on May 21 while being assisted by four Sherpa climbers. It is suspected that he suffered from high-altitude pulmonary oedema (HAPE). Are, 46, had summited on May 20 but later became unwell during the descent. He reportedly developed snow blindness below the summit ridge and was rescued from the South Summit by five Sherpa guides before being brought to Camp II, where he died shortly after arrival. Mount Everest, the world's tallest peak at 8,846.86 metres, recorded 274 summit ascents in a single day. Reports have indicated that a five-kilometre-long queue of climbers formed along the summit of the peak. This year, a total of 61 Indian climbers received permits this season, making India the third-largest national group on Everest after China, with 109 permits, and the United States, with 77. According to Guinness World Records, the record for summits from both sides in a single day was set on May 23, 2019, when 354 people reached the top. Nepal's Department of Tourism issued climbing permits to 495 people for Everest alone, the highest number since Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay Sherpa first scaled the mountain in 1953. The department began issuing permits for the spring season on March 1. By May 21, Nepal had issued permits to 1,157 mountaineers for 30 different peaks, generating more than NRs 1.24 billion in royalty revenue. Everest alone contributed NRs 1.07 billion, according to department figures. Nepal is home to eight of the world's 14 peaks above 8,000 metres, including Everest, making the country one of the leading destinations for high-altitude mountaineering. (ANI)
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