KATHMANDU: Mustang district recorded 16 altitude-sickness deaths in the past fiscal year, up sharply from nine the previous year, according to figures from Provincial Hospital, Jomsom, as originally reported.

Ten of the victims were Indian nationals, five were Nepali, and one was Mexican. All were aged between 50 and 84 — mostly pilgrims and tourists who ascended rapidly from lower altitudes into Mustang's high-elevation terrain without adequate acclimatisation. The previous year's toll of nine included five Indians, three Nepalis and one American.

Hospital data shows deaths occurred throughout the year, with the highest number — four — recorded in Baishakh (April–May), followed by clusters in Jestha, Bhadra and Kartik.

Health officials say visitors arriving from lowland regions, particularly the elderly, those with chronic conditions, or those on regular medication, face the greatest risk. Many casualties, they note, involve pilgrims rushed toward Muktinath without proper rest stops en route — the faster the climb, the higher the danger.

In response, Provincial Hospital Jomsom and Waragung Muktichhetra Rural Municipality have set up a high-altitude treatment centre at the Muktinath temple complex, staffed by two health assistants and equipped with supplemental oxygen. Awareness signage has also been installed along the main route from Ghasa through Lete, Khanti, Marpha, Jomsom and Kagbeni to Muktinath, with ACAP, local authorities and security agencies distributing information pamphlets district-wide.

The hospital is urging transport operators, tourism businesses and travel agencies to brief travellers on altitude-sickness risks before their ascent, saying early awareness from frontline service providers could prevent many of these deaths.