KATHMANDU, MAY 31
Thirteen people, including nine foreign nationals, have died of high altitude sickness in Mustang as of May 29 this year, police said.
According to the District Police Office, the victims were religious tourists visiting the Muktinath area. They died while undergoing treatment at the provincial hospital in Jomsom after falling ill in Waragung Muktinath and Gharapjhong rural municipalities.
Police Inspector Santosh Basyal said three of the deceased were Nepali citizens, while the remaining were foreign tourists.
Authorities said altitude-related illnesses continue to pose serious risks in high Himalayan districts such as Mustang, Manang and Annapurna region, particularly for visitors unaccustomed to elevations above 3,000 metres.
In response, the Provincial Public Health Office, the Annapurna Conservation Area Project (ACAP) and security agencies have launched awareness programmes and installed warning signboards along major trekking and pilgrimage routes.
Hotels in the Muktinath area have also been provided with portable oxygen cylinders and essential medicines for emergency support.
However, officials said lack of adequate information on altitude risks from travel agencies and hotels remains a major challenge.
(With inputs from RSS)