Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
The Islamic Revolution Guard Corps - Quds Force announces the martyrdom of the head of the Palestine Unit Brigadier General Mohammad Said Izadi.
Sayyed Khamenei: The idea of Iran's surrender is laughable to the wise, for the Iranian people are strong and will remain strong, proud, and honorable.
Leader of the Islamic Revolution, Sayyed Khamenei: The insult directed by the Americans at the Iranian people will not prevail... Our people are great, our state is strong, and our civilization is deeply rooted in history.
Sayyed Khamenei: Downplaying the Iranian strike on Al-Udeid base aims to conceal the truth, and the coming days will reveal the extent of the enemies' losses.
Sayyed Khamenei: The Islamic Republic's targeting of vital American sites, such as Al-Udeid base, was not a passing event.
Sayyed Khamenei: The American president hides behind allegations to conceal the reality of what happened.
Sayyed Khamenei: Our armed forces managed to bypass various enemy defenses and strike multiple targets at the heart of enemy centers.
Sayyed Khamenei: The Zionist entity never imagined receiving such strikes from the Islamic Republic.
Sayyed Khamenei: The American aggression against our nuclear facilities failed to achieve any of the enemies' objectives.
Commander-in-Chief of Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guard Corps, Major General Mohammad Pakpour: If the enemy makes a mistake, we will respond forcefully, just as we have over the past 12 days

Record number of deaths on Everest as Nepal increases permits

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News Websites
  • 26 May 2023 09:33
3 Min Read

Nepal has given out a total of 478 permits to those aspiring to climb the summit.

  • x
  • Record number of deaths on Everest
    A porter carries goods at camp four at Everest, in this picture taken on May 20, 2016. (Reuters)

The newest climbing season on Mount Everest, the world's highest mountain, is shaping up to be one of the deadliest in history, sparking concerns that Nepal is giving too many permits in order to maximize tourist profits.

Dr. Yuba Raj Khatiwada, the head of Nepal's tourist department, told Bloomberg News that the death toll is now at eight, with five more persons missing.

The number of fatalities is certain to exceed the 11 recorded in 2019, when photographs of enormous traffic congestion at the summit went viral across the world.

The deaths come after the Nepali government issued a record 478 permits in 2023.

Read more: Nepali mountaineer becomes first to climb world's 8,000m peaks twice

According to statistics kept by the US-based non-profit organization The Himalayan Database, the worst year in Everest climbing history was 2014, when at least 17 local personnel were killed, the most from a massive avalanche.

Permits for foreigners to climb Everest cost $11,000 (S$15,000) and had already earned Nepal's economy more than $5 million in 2023. The administration has avoided making substantial reforms to limit the number of licenses issued.

Related News

UK climber breaks record for most times Everest climbed by non-sherpa

Nepali sherpa becomes 2nd person to climb Mount Everest 26 times

According to Alan Arnette, a blogger who climbed Everest in 2011, people are "seduced and enamoured" by climbing the peak, and "there’s nobody there that will tell them ‘no’ because they’ve paid the money." Arnette believes operators and authorities do not want the profits to dip, and therefore have not taken proper safety measures.

“It’s a pure and simple business decision," he said.

Nepal, one of Asia's poorest regions, has benefited from a surge in climbing tourism, fueled in part by the expanding riches of India and China.

While the world's tallest mountain, which rises at around 8,849m, is also accessible through China, climbers there are needed to have previously scaled an 8,000m peak, prompting many to go to Nepal, where such limitations do not exist.

In 2023, 97 Chinese climbers tried to summit Everest, making them the largest national group, followed by the United States and India.

Read next: UK climber breaks record for most times Everest climbed by non-sherpa

“You’re going to have some people that are climbing that are inexperienced with unqualified guides,” Khatiwada stated.

“Being at that altitude and under that physicality, the demands are just unpredictable. And as a result, you don’t know what you don’t know.”

Climbers on Everest are also becoming older, raising the stakes. The average age of climbers climbing Everest is currently 42, up from 34 in 1982.

 

  • Mount Everest
  • Nepal
  • Kathmandu

Most Read

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian attends a protest following the US attacks on nuclear sites in Iran, in Tehran, Iran, Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

Iran declares victory as ceasefire forces Israeli retreat

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Iran launches strikes on Israeli targets, despite alleged ceasefire

Iran victorious as ceasefire with 'Israel' takes effect

  • Politics
  • 24 Jun 2025
Iranian worshippers carry their country's flags in a protest to condemn Israeli attacks on multiple cities across Iran, after the Friday prayers ceremony in Tehran, Iran, Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP)

Iran warns of NPT withdrawal, Strait of Hormuz closure after US attack

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Israeli army vehicles are seen during an invasion in the West Bank city of Jenin, Tuesday, March 11, 2025
Politics

Israeli military faces key weaponry shortages: NBC News

Rutte raises eyebrows by calling Trump 'the Daddy' at NATO summit
Politics

Rutte causes stir calling Trump 'Daddy' at NATO summit

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the WHO Director General, delivers his speech after inaugurating the WHO Academy campus which promotes lifelong learning across the health sector, Tuesday, Dec. 17, 2024 (AP)
Politics

Over 40, including children, killed in Sudan hospital attack: WHO

Trump and Hegseth cast doubt on damage to Iran’s nuclear sites
Politics

Trump, Hegseth admit inconclusivity over Iran nuclear damage

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS