Italian tourist rescued from Upper Mustang

KATHMANDU: An Italian tourist, Diego Mario Pinto, aged 31, was successfully rescued on Sunday night after falling ill due to altitude sickness in Upper Mustang.

Pinto had been traveling in the region, located at an elevation of nearly 4,000 meters above sea level, when he experienced symptoms of altitude sickness, including difficulty breathing and headaches.

The rescue was coordinated by the health team of Lo-Manthang Municipality, who used an ambulance to transport Pinto to the Provincial Hospital in Jomsom.

The municipality arranged for the ambulance to be equipped with oxygen and accompanied by two health staff members.

Pinto had been visiting Upper Mustang on a 10-day permit, which cost him $500.

According to Development KC, the acting Chief Administrative Officer of Lo-Manthang Municipality, this is the first reported case of a foreign tourist suffering from altitude sickness in the area.

The rescue team swiftly responded and reached the provincial hospital in Jomsom by midnight, where doctors confirmed that Pinto’s health condition was stable.

Pinto had traveled to Upper Mustang alongside two French tourists and three local guides.

Sadly, in 2081 BS, 11 tourists, including two Nepalese, lost their lives due to altitude sickness in Mustang.

Similarly, in 2080 BS, 17 foreign tourists, along with six Nepalese, perished from the same condition.

The high-altitude areas of Mustang, particularly those that involve extended travel without sufficient rest, pose risks for altitude sickness.

Older travelers and individuals with pre-existing health conditions are more vulnerable to this issue.