A 47-year-old woman from Kolkata died in North Sikkim on Friday, January 16, 2026, reportedly due to altitude sickness. The woman was vacationing in the Himalayan state with her family.

According to officials, the woman experienced shortness of breath and vomiting shortly after arriving in Lachung. Despite these symptoms, she visited Zero Point on Thursday, a popular sightseeing location at approximately 15,300 feet. Her condition worsened significantly around 2 a.m. on Friday. She was immediately taken to the Lachung Army Field Hospital, but doctors pronounced her dead upon arrival.

Lachung is situated at a high altitude of around 9,600 feet. Officials suspect that acute altitude sickness was the primary cause of death. Authorities have registered a case of unnatural death and launched an investigation to determine the precise circumstances surrounding the incident.

In light of this tragedy, authorities are reiterating the importance of taking precautions when visiting high-altitude areas in North Sikkim. They urge tourists to properly acclimatize to the elevation and seek medical advice if they experience symptoms like breathlessness, nausea, or dizziness.

Sikkim's tourism sector has seen a strong resurgence post-pandemic, with tourist arrivals crossing 17 lakh in 2025. This follows a recovery that began in 2024. The state government has also implemented initiatives to promote sustainable tourism. However, this recent incident highlights the potential dangers of high-altitude travel, especially for those with pre-existing health conditions or those who are not properly acclimatized.