Five individuals tragically lost their lives on the Annapurna Circuit Trek during the last fiscal year. Known for its breathtaking beauty, the Annapurna Circuit is also recognized as one of the world’s most hazardous treks, ranking as the 10th most risky globally.
The victims included one US citizen, one Indian national, one Briton, and two Nepali nationals. Dhak Bahadur Bhujel, chief of the Annapurna Area Conservation Project (ACAP) unit, reported that the majority of fatalities in the area are attributed to high-altitude sickness.
The 69-year-old US citizen died after falling off a cliff at Khotro in Naso rural municipality-3, Manang. A 35-year-old tourist from India succumbed to high-altitude sickness at Todanda in Manang Ngisyang rural municipality-9. The Briton was found dead in a hotel room in Meta, Narpabhumi rural municipality-2.
Among the Nepali victims, Hari Adhikari, 35, from Phulkharka in Ganga Jamuna rural municipality, was a porter who died from altitude sickness near the Chulubes Camp in Manang Ngisyang-6. Dadhiram Dangi, 49, from Ghorahi Sub-Metropolis-9 in Dang, passed away near the Tilicho Basecamp. An autopsy report for Dangi is still awaited.
Binod Gurung, Chair of the Tourism Entrepreneurs Association of Manang, emphasized the importance of understanding weather conditions in Manang before embarking on the trek. He highlighted that the weather in Manang requires a gradual adaptation process, and neglecting this can significantly increase the risk of high-altitude sickness.
