'Death zone' queues feared on Everest as Nepal grants record climbing permits

A general view of the Everest base camp taken from a drone, in Nepal April 24, 2023. REUTERS/Pasang Rinzee Sherpa

KATHMANDU (Reuters) - A record number of mountaineers expected on Mount Everest during the current spring climbing season has sparked fears of a traffic jam when teams make their final ascent through the "death zone" to the summit of the world’s tallest peak.

Overcrowding and high numbers of relatively inexperienced climbers were cited as key factors when nine people died high up on the 8,849 metres (29,032 feet) peak in May, 2019 - during one of the deadliest seasons for years.