A 28-year-old tourist from Kolkata, Ankita Ghosh, tragically passed away on Wednesday in Tumling, a remote hamlet situated at an altitude of 10,000 feet on the India-Nepal border, approximately 50km from Darjeeling. Despite having no known major health issues, Ankita reportedly died due to severe respiratory distress, making this the second such death in the Hills within a fortnight, and the third this year in North Bengal.
Ankita, a financial adviser with a private firm, had traveled to the region for a holiday with three friends. After arriving in New Jalpaiguri by train on Sunday, they made their way to Maneybhanjang the same day. The following day, they took a shared taxi to Sandakphu, Bengal’s highest point at 12,000 feet, before descending to a homestay in Tumling on Tuesday.
The group had planned to return to Kolkata on Wednesday. However, on the night of Tuesday, they stayed up late chatting before retiring around midnight. At around 12:10 am, Ankita’s roommate found her unresponsive after she fell in the bathroom. By 4 am, she was taken to a primary health center in Sukhiapokhri, around 28 km away, but was later referred to Darjeeling Sadar Hospital, 18 km further. She was declared dead upon arrival at the hospital at 6:30 am.
Ankita’s travel companion, Avijit Pal, mentioned that none of them showed signs of respiratory distress during the trip. Doctors observed signs of bleeding from her nose, possibly indicating pulmonary oedema, a condition where the lungs fill with fluid, which can become fatal if not treated, especially after descending from high altitudes.
A preliminary postmortem revealed cardiac arrest as the probable cause of death, though doctors are conducting a toxicology test to gather more details. Ankita’s father, Amit Ghosh, confirmed that she had no known health issues, although she had recently suffered from cold and fever-related ailments.
This tragic incident raises concerns about high-altitude tourism and the associated health risks. The Darjeeling administration has been attempting to implement health checks for tourists, especially those visiting high-altitude spots like Sandakphu, in order to prevent similar occurrences. The local authorities have issued a health advisory for tourists, urging them to take necessary precautions.
Experts, including Debraj Jash, head of the pulmonary department at Manipal Hospitals, recommended that tourists carry pulse oximeters to monitor their oxygen saturation levels. If oxygen levels drop, descending to lower altitudes and seeking medical attention immediately is crucial. The Darjeeling administration has also indicated plans to enforce a mandatory medical certificate requirement for tourists heading to high-altitude locations.
Despite Sandakphu’s popularity, the region lacks basic medical facilities, and while the Singalila Land Rover Owners’ Association provides oxygen cylinders, there is insufficient training to operate them effectively. Authorities are now focused on ensuring better medical safety measures to protect tourists visiting these challenging terrains.