Ranit Kr. Singh , New Delhi - British mountaineer Kenton Cool broke his own record on Friday by completing his 20th successful ascent of Mount Everest. The 52-year-old reached the 8,849-metre summit before dawn and began his descent toward base camp, which he is expected to reach over the weekend. However, the season's death toll rose to five following the tragic deaths of two Indian climbers who died during their descent on Friday after summiting the day prior.

According to expedition organizer Nivesh Karki of Pioneer Adventure, one Indian climber passed away at Camp II while the other died at the Hillary Step. Located just below the summit, the Hillary Step sits within the dangerously low-oxygen region known as the "death zone." While specific details regarding the fatalities remain unavailable, Karki confirmed that teams are currently attempting to retrieve the body from Camp II, though the other remains at a very high altitude.

While Kami Rita holds the overall record with 32 summits, fellow expedition organizer Lukas Furtenbach called Cool an absolute legend for achieving more Everest summits than any other non-Sherpa. Cool, who first scaled the mountain in 2004, noted that the world's tallest peak never gets any easier or less frightening. In a statement reflecting on his landmark achievement, Cool said, “I rely on every bit of experience I have to move safely in this environment. Standing on the summit for the twentieth time is incredibly special.”