Darjeeling: A 48-year-old tourist from Barasat died after developing breathing difficulties at Tumling, situated at an altitude of nearly 10,000 feet, on Tuesday. This was the second tourist death in the Sandakphu region in less than a month. The incident has again raised concerns over the lack of emergency medical facilities and ambulance services in the popular high-altitude tourist belt.
Following that incident, Pradhan had called for a medical aid centre in the region, stressing the need for facilities that could provide immediate assistance and stabilise patients before they were shifted to hospitals.
They arrived at Maneybhanjan on Oct 18, stayed at Sandakphu on Oct 19 and reached Tumling on Oct 20. Paul reportedly developed breathing difficulties around 12.30 am at a homestay in Tumling. On Sept 30, a 27-year-old tourist from Cooch Behar died after developing breathing difficulties at Ahal, around 2 km from Sandakphu, Bengal’s highest point. His blood oxygen saturation level reportedly dropped to 32% before the SLROA rushed to rescue him amid the absence of immediate medical facilities in the area.
The deceased, Bubai Paul, was travelling with five family members. The deceased, Priotosh Adhikari from Tufanganj, was trekking with four friends and had reached the Sandakphu region through the Sikkim route.