Four climbers have been found dead inside a tent on Mount Everest, marking the latest tragedy in what is proving to be a perilous climbing season on the world's highest mountain.

According to the Himalayan Times, the two Nepalese guides and two foreign climbers were discovered at camp four - the highest camp before the summit.

The four climbers found in the tent have not been named. The cause of death has not been confirmed, with officials investigating the possibility that they suffocated.

Ang Tshering Sherpa of the Nepal Mountaineering Association told Reuters: "It was windy and very cold in the mountain yesterday (Tuesday). It appears they died due to suffocation as they must have been using a stove to keep warm inside the tent.”

The discovery was made by a team that had been searching for the body of Vladimir Strba, who died at the camp on Saturday.

This season's death toll has now reached 10 people, with four people having died over the weekend alone.

A risky mission is being launched to recover the body of Indian national Ravi Kumar (27), who also died on Saturday during his descent from the summit.

Speaking to The Guardian, Chowang Sherpa - the managing director of the Arun Treks - claimed they were undertaking the recovery mission with reluctance.

Chowang suggested: "We have been saying that it’s too dangerous to go to such a difficult place.

"We are trying at least once, adopting all safety measures and by carrying all gear that is needed."

An Indian official, however, told The Guardian there was 'no question of pressure' over recovering the body.

The recent deaths come amid concerns over the safety on the mountain, with more people than ever hoping to reach the summit.

Climbing commentator Alan Arnette argues: "It is clear over the past few years that most of the deaths have been climbers on low cost companies".

There have been a record number of Everest climbing permits - more than 370 - issued by Nepalese authorities this year.

Major avalanches on Everest in 2014 and 2015 left 16 and 19 people dead respectively.

This year has also seen uncertainty over whether the famous Hillary Step was destroyed by the Nepalese earthquake in 2015, with conflicting reports over whether or not it is still intact.

The step - named after Edmund Hillary, one of the first two people known to have scaled Everest - is a rock face known as one of the final challenges for climbers before the summit.