Tourist dies of suspected altitude sickness in Sandakphu

DARJEELING,: Tanmoy Kundu, a 29-year-old from Kaliyaganj in North Dinajpur, died yesterday after a trip to Sandakphu, about 61 km from Darjeeling. His died shortly after returning from Sandakphu, a popular tourist spot which stands at a height of 3,636 meters.

Kundu had travelled to Sandakphu with six friends on May 24. T. Basak, one of his friends, said they had made a night halt at Tumling before reaching Sandakphu the next day. They planned to return on May 27.

On the morning of their return, Kundu complained of stomach pains which later worsened to breathing problems. “A tourist in the next room was a doctor who took a look at him and advised us to admit him to the nearest hospital as soon as possible,” said Basak.

Without medical facilities at Sandakphu, they rushed Kundu to Sukhiapokhri Hospital, about 39 km away, where he was declared dead. His body was then taken to Darjeeling for an autopsy, with the cause of death still pending. Kundu’s family arrived in Darjeeling and took his body back home.

Dawa Sherpa, the chief coordinator of the GTA Adventure Tourism department, suggested that Kundu might have died from high-altitude pulmonary edema. Sherpa noted that many tourists visit Sandakphu directly from the plains without proper acclimatization, leading to altitude sickness. He emphasized the importance of descending to a lower altitude when experiencing symptoms like headaches and chest pains.

Sherpa said that such sickness is seen among people when they are above 9,000 feet. Sandakhpu stands at a height of 12,000 feet.

“In such cases, the only solution is to descend to a lower altitude as soon as possible,” said Sherpa.

He informed that there were some trained staff in Sandakphu for medical emergencies who, he said, had managed to save a lady from Bangladesh last week when she complained of similar symptoms.

In another incident, two bodies of locals from Yuksom, Sikkim were found at Chewa Bhanjyang, also in the Singalila Range. The cause of their deaths is still unknown.

Sherpa mentioned that an information centre had been established at Manebhanjyang to educate tourists about the precautions needed when visiting high altitudes, but many tourists bypass it. Plans are underway to necessitate medical certificates from tourists to ensure they are fit for the journey to Sandakphu, he added.