Rising Altitude Sickness Claims 25 Tourist Lives in Nepal’s Annapurna Region During FY 2025/26

At least 25 foreign and domestic trekkers tragically lost their lives due to high-altitude sickness across the popular Annapurna Circuit during the 2025/26 fiscal year, highlighting growing safety concerns along Nepal’s premier Himalayan trails. According to local authorities and emergency rescue operators, the fatal incidents were primarily caused by Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS), High Altitude Pulmonary Edema (HAPE), and High Altitude Cerebral Edema (HACE), which developed as trekkers ascended rapidly beyond 3,500 meters without adequate acclimatization. Tourism officials noted that while visitor numbers to the Annapurna Conservation Area surged this past season, many independent trekkers bypassed recommended acclimatization rest days or ignored early symptoms to keep pace with tight schedules. High-altitude medical specialists and rescue teams have expressed concern over the sharp rise in casualties, urging travel agencies to enforce mandatory medical screenings, proper rest protocols, and qualified guide accompaniment for high-elevation passes. In response to the high mortality rate, regional authorities and the Trekking Agencies’ Association of Nepal (TAAN) are planning to expand health checkposts, improve emergency helicopter evacuation coordination, and deploy compulsory health advisories at key entry points along the trail to prevent future fatalities.