Archive · 1 Oct 2026
FCI Officer Dies During Sandakphu Trek After Falling Ill
Priyotosh Adhikari was a 26-year-old officer who went trekking with four friends.
He began the trek on September 27.
After reaching Phalut, the group continued toward Sandakphu.
Priyotosh developed a fever and became too weak to walk.
The group stopped at a place called Ale, about 5km from Sandakphu.
He died there on Wednesday.
His father had spoken to him the day before and told him to stop because he was breathing heavily.
Doctors said the trek was strenuous, but the exact cause of death has not yet been confirmed.
Priyotosh Adhikari, a 26-year-old FCI officer, died during a Sandakphu trek on Wednesday.
He became feverish and unable to walk, prompting his group to stop at Ale, about 5km from Sandakphu.
Adhikari had started the trek on September 27 with four friends and had reached Phalut.
His family said he had spoken to his father on Tuesday, who urged him to stop after hearing heavy breathing.
His death has renewed calls for mandatory medical screening, while the cause remains unestablished.
- Who
- Priyotosh Adhikari, a 26-year-old Food Corporation of India officer from Tufanganj in Cooch Behar.
- What
- He died after falling ill during a trek near Sandakphu.
- When
- He died on Wednesday; his body was taken for a post-mortem on Thursday.
- Where
- At Ale, approximately 5km from Sandakphu, during a trek that had included Phalut.
- Why
- The exact cause of death has not been established; a doctor said an undiagnosed heart condition was among the possibilities.
- Age
- 26
- Occupation
- Food Corporation of India officer
- Trek start
- September 27
- Trekking group
- Priyotosh Adhikari and four friends
- Location of illness
- Ale, about 5km from Sandakphu
- Post-mortem
- The body was taken to Darjeeling Sadar Hospital on Thursday
- Policy debate
- Calls have been renewed for compulsory medical screening of trekkers