Qomolangma 'traffic jam' blamed for 4 more deaths

Four more deaths are being reported on Mount Qomolangam, aka Mount Everest, bringing the total number of deaths on the world's highest peak to 10 in just over two weeks after the climbing window was cut. Bad weather and massive queues to reach the summit are being blamed for the latest fatalities.

Photo taken on May 22, 2019 and released by @nimsdai Project Possible shows heavy traffic lining to summit Mt. Qomolangma. [File Photo: AFP]

This season, Nepalese authorities have issued a record 381 Qomolangma permits.

Indian climber Ameesha Chauhan dips her feet in a warm solution at a hospital in Kathmandu, May 27, 2019. [File Photo: AFP]

The glut of climbers attempting to reach the peak is generating criticism of Nepalese authorities, who are being blamed for putting profits ahead of safety.

Each permit provided by Nepal earns the country 11,000 US dollars.

File photo taken on May 16, 2018, showing mountaineers ascending Mt. Qomolangma on the south face from Nepal. [File Photo: AFP]

"Many of the summiteers are not properly trained, make poor decisions and put their own life, and the lives of the Sherpa guides at risk," said Ammesha Chauhan, who managed to summit Qomolangma earlier in the week.

Mt. Qomolangma (height 8848 metres) is seen in the Qomolangma region, some 140 km northeast of Kathmandu, May 27, 2019. [File Photo: AFP]

This year's death toll on Qomolangma is the highest since 2014-15, when massive earthquakes triggered devastating avalanches which took the lives of several climbers and guides.

(Story includes material sourced from AFP.)