Two Indian Climbers Die Descending Mount Everest

KATHMANDU-Two Indian mountaineers died while descending from Mount Everest after successfully scaling the world’s tallest peak, Nepal tourism officials confirmed on May 22.

Himal Gautam, Director at Nepal’s Department of Tourism shared that Arun Kumar Tiwari and Sandeep Are died during their descent from Everest after summiting the mountain on May 21.

According to local media reports, both climbers fell ill while descending from the summit.

Nivesh Karki, Director of expedition organizer Pioneer Adventures, told Nepal-based news portal The Himalayan Times that Tiwari died near the Hillary Step, just below the summit, while being assisted by four Sherpa climbers during the descent.

Sandeep Are reportedly suffered snow blindness immediately after reaching the summit and was rescued from the South Summit. He later died at Camp II after being brought down by five Sherpa rescuers.

The deaths have pushed the toll on Everest during the current spring climbing season to five, while the overall number of fatalities across Nepal’s Himalayan peaks has reached seven. (IANS)