KATHMANDU, April 21: Lo Manthang Rural Municipality rescued Diago Mario Pinto, an Italian national, after he fell ill due to altitude sickness while visiting Upper Mustang, situated nearly 4,000 meters above sea level. Acting Chief Administrative Officer Bikash KC said the municipality immediately coordinated the rescue and transported him to the Provincial Hospital in Jomsom using its own ambulance.
The municipality provided oxygen support and deployed two health workers to accompany Pinto during the transfer. Medical staff admitted him to the hospital upon arrival.
Pinto had entered the restricted and controlled area of Upper Mustang with a 10-day permit costing USD 500. When he began experiencing symptoms such as difficulty breathing and headaches, the municipality responded swiftly to carry out the rescue.
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Officials reported this as the first known case of a foreign tourist falling ill due to altitude sickness while visiting Upper Mustang. They admitted the Italian national to the Provincial Hospital in Jomsom around midnight after he became sick following a 90-kilometer journey in the region.
Dr Bishal Sapkota of the Provincial Hospital in Jomsom confirmed that the tourist's health condition is now stable.
Diago Mario Pinto, the Italian national, had traveled to Upper Mustang via Jomsom with two French nationals and three trekking guides. He began experiencing symptoms of altitude sickness after reaching Lo Manthang.
In 2081 BS, altitude sickness claimed the lives of 11 people including two Nepalis and nine foreign tourists in the mountainous district of Mustang.
Similarly, in 2080 BS, altitude sickness killed 17 foreign nationals and 6 Nepalis. Tourists traveling through high-altitude mountainous regions often develop altitude sickness when they fail to rest properly during their journey. The condition especially affects elderly individuals and those with chronic illnesses.
