Two Indian climbers who successfully reached the summit of Mount Everest died while descending from the world’s highest peak, according to a statement from a Nepal-based expedition official cited by PTI, marking a tragic turn in an otherwise active climbing season on the mountain.

The climbers reportedly succumbed to extreme exhaustion during their descent after summiting Everest via the South Col route. Despite rescue efforts by experienced Sherpa guides, one of the climbers could not be revived after being assisted down from the Balcony area toward the South Col overnight, officials said. The second climber, identified as Arun Tiwari, had reached the summit around 5:30 pm before becoming critically exhausted during his descent.

According to expedition officials, Tiwari was being guided by four Sherpa climbers when he collapsed near the Hillary Step, a notoriously challenging section close to the summit ridge. Despite continued assistance during the descent, rescue teams were unable to bring him back safely. Another climber, Sandeep Are, also died at Camp II after being brought down by Sherpa rescuers, further highlighting the extreme risks associated with high-altitude climbing.

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The fatalities come during a busy Everest season that has seen a significant number of successful summits, including Indian climbers such as 21-year-old Saanika Shah and an all-women mountaineering team from the Border Security Force (BSF). Officials noted that a record number of climbers had reached the summit in a single day earlier this week, underscoring both the popularity and pressure of the current climbing window.

Nepal has issued 493 permits for Mount Everest this season, one of the highest numbers recorded in recent years. The rope-fixing work, completed on May 13, marked the official start of the climbing period. However, the surge in climbers combined with narrow weather windows and physically demanding conditions has once again raised concerns about safety and congestion on the mountain.

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