POKHARA: Twenty-five tourists lost their lives due to altitude sickness in the Annapurna trekking region during the last fiscal year 2025/26, according to the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP).
ACAP said the fatalities included 12 Nepali nationals, nine Indian tourists, and one tourist each from Japan, Mexico, Spain and Singapore.
The highest number of deaths was recorded in Mustang, where 15 people died, followed by Manang with eight fatalities. One death each was also reported at Annapurna Base Camp and the Mardi Himal trekking route.
Among the Nepali victims, four were trekking guides and porters, ACAP Chief Dr. Rabin Kadariya said.
Besides altitude-related deaths, five tourists died in falls and other trekking accidents during the same period.
An Indian tourist died after being caught in heavy snowfall while trekking in Manang, while an Australian climber died while descending from Himlung Mountain in the district. A Nepali trekker also died on the Mardi Himal trail, and a German tourist lost his life to altitude sickness while trekking in the Khopra area of Myagdi district.
According to ACAP, most altitude sickness deaths occurred in the high-altitude areas of Mustang and Manang, where trekkers are particularly vulnerable to acute mountain sickness due to rapid elevation gain and harsh weather conditions.
The project recorded 21 altitude sickness deaths in fiscal year 2080/81 and 19 in fiscal year 2081/82, indicating a rise in fatalities during the last fiscal year.
Officials have urged trekkers to acclimatize properly, monitor symptoms of altitude sickness, and seek immediate medical attention if they experience breathing difficulties, severe headaches, dizziness or other warning signs while trekking in the Himalayas.
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