An election observer deputed in Lamjung district lost his life due to altitude sickness on Thursday. He breathed his last at the Tribhuvan University Teaching Hospital (TUTH) in Kathmandu.

The deceased has been identified as Umesh Kaji Shrestha, 46, of Bhaktapur district. 

Shrestha suffered altitude sickness in Tilicho Base Camp of mountain district Manang. The base camp is perched at an altitude of 4,200 metres. 

He was airlifted to Kathmandu in a helicopter after he showed symptoms of altitude sickness today. He later died in the hospital at around 3 pm, according to DSP Shyam Krishna Adhikari. 

Shrestha was accompanied by five other election observers of South Asian Partnership (SAP) who had come for election with permission from the Election Commission, said DSP Adhikari. 

The team of six election observers had come to Lamjung district for the first phase of federal parliamentary and provincial assembly elections held on November 26.

After the elections concluded, the team headed to Manang district and was en route to Tilicho Lake when Shrestha showed symptoms of altitude sickness at Tilicho Base Camp. He was airlifted to Capital from the base camp itself. 

DSP Adhikari said that although they had come for election observation, but their presence was not notified to the office of Chief Election Officer, District Election Office, District Administration Office and police.