The accident marked the third death on Everest within two weeks during Nepal’s spring climbing season, one of the country’s most important tourism revenue periods.

Himal Gautam said climbers remained undeterred by travel complications stemming from instability in the Middle East, with large numbers still arriving for expeditions in the Himalayas.
“Everest continues to lure an increased number of climbers,” Gautam said.

Authorities have issued 492 climbing permits for Everest this season, each costing $15,000, exceeding the 478 permits issued in 2023 and underscoring sustained global demand for high-altitude expeditions.
Nepal, home to eight of the world’s 14 highest mountains, relies heavily on mountaineering tourism as a source of foreign currency, employment and economic activity.

Officials said rope-fixing teams from the Expedition Operators’ Association of Nepal were expected to complete the route to Everest’s summit by the weekend, allowing summit attempts to begin if weather conditions improve.

Other recent fatalities included Bijay Ghimire Bishwakarma, 35, who died during an acclimatization exercise in the dangerous Khumbu Icefall area, and Lakpa Dendi Sherpa, 51, who died while traveling to Everest base camp earlier this month.
Officials also reported the deaths of American climber Johannesen Shelley, 53, on Mount Makalu, the world’s fifth-highest mountain, and Czech climber David Ronbinek on nearby Makalu II.

Authorities did not disclose further details about those incidents.

The climbing season had already faced delays after a massive ice block and falling debris disrupted preparations and postponed the opening of Everest’s summit route by nearly two weeks in April, leaving hundreds of climbers stranded at base camp.