Climbers and guides die in Everest's deadliest 24 hours
Updated
Updated · History · May 6
Climbers and guides die in Everest's deadliest 24 hours
3 articles · Updated · History · May 6
Eight people were killed on 10 May 1996 after a storm trapped summit teams in Everest's Death Zone during their final ascent.
The disaster struck amid a boom in commercially guided expeditions and was later chronicled by journalist and climber Jon Krakauer in Into Thin Air.
Edmund Hillary later said overcrowding and commercialization had made such a tragedy inevitable on the mountain he first summited with Tenzing Norgay in 1953.
Why has Everest's commercialization only accelerated since 1996, turning a tragic warning into a global bucket-list phenomenon?
Thirty years after the 1996 tragedy, will Nepal's new rules tame Everest, or just make the deadly climb more exclusive?
Everest 2026: Zero Early Fatalities, Rising Permit Fees, and Escalating Risks for Sherpas Amid Climate Change
Overview
The 2026 Everest climbing season began with no reported fatalities or major accidents, a positive change linked to new safety regulations requiring climbers to have prior high-altitude experience. These rules aim to keep inexperienced climbers off the mountain, potentially reducing risks. However, Everest remains extremely dangerous, especially for Nepali workers, mainly Sherpas, who are essential for expeditions. They face the greatest hazards, particularly in the unstable Khumbu Icefall, and must make more trips to support clients using extra oxygen. Despite improvements, the mountain’s dangers and the heavy burden on Sherpas highlight ongoing challenges for safety and fairness.