Tourist Tragedy Strikes Again in Darjeeling Hills: 20-Year-Old Soumili Mondal Dies During Educational Trip

KalimNews, May 8, 2025, Darjeeling :  In a devastating incident that has raised concerns about tourist safety in the Darjeeling hills, a 20-year-old Bengali tourist, Soumili Mondal, tragically passed away while on an educational tour in the region. Hailing from Kashimbazar in Berhampur, Murshidabad, Soumili was part of a group of 37 individuals who arrived in the picturesque town of Chhota Mangawa on May 4. The group, on an educational trip, was accompanied by teachers when Soumili’s health suddenly began to deteriorate.

According to police reports, Soumili initially showed symptoms of acute physical distress, including vomiting, soon after her arrival. She was promptly taken to Daikin Hospital in Rangali Rangliot, but her condition continued to worsen. Despite medical efforts, she was transferred to a nursing home in Matigara, Siliguri. Tragically, she passed away on the morning of May 7. Authorities have confirmed that her body was sent to North Bengal Medical College and Hospital for a post-mortem examination.

Soumili’s grieving family has traveled to Siliguri to claim her body. In response to the incident, Rajesh Chauhan, Chairman of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and Tourism Department Councilor, commented, "A female tourist has died. However, she passed away in a nursing home in Siliguri. We are in the process of verifying the details."

This latest death adds to a troubling pattern of tourist fatalities in the Darjeeling hills, especially among visitors from West Bengal. On April 15, a 55-year-old tourist from East Burdwan also succumbed under similar circumstances. On December 4, 2024, a 29-year-old female tourist from North Dinajpur died in Tumling near Sandakphu during a trip, and in 2022, an Israeli hiker tragically passed away in his sleep while trekking to Sandakphu.

Last year, between November and December, two more deaths were recorded, including that of a 58-year-old tourist from Bhawanipur, Kolkata, and a 28-year-old from Dumdum. The trend of tourist fatalities continued into the new year, with two more deaths, including a 58-year-old man from Bhadreshwar, on January 6, 2025.

These recurring incidents have sparked a growing debate over the adequacy of health and safety measures for tourists in the region. Critics have raised questions about the availability of proper medical facilities, emergency response systems, and whether clear health advisories are in place for those traveling to high-altitude areas like Darjeeling. With more people visiting the area, particularly from West Bengal, the authorities are facing increasing pressure to address these concerns and implement stricter safety protocols.

As investigations into Soumili Mondal's death continue, the local community and tourists alike are left questioning what more can be done to ensure the safety of visitors in one of India’s most scenic yet treacherous tourist destinations.