More than 30 people were arrested for allegedly poisoning Mount Everest climbers. This came as part of a $20 million insurance fraud scam.
Nepal Police's Central Investigation Bureau made the bust, arresting 32 guides. The scheme happened between 2022 and 2025, affecting 4,782 climbers. According to The Kathmandu Post, authorities first became aware of the scam in 2018.
However, they just recently reopened the investigation. The guides allegedly manufactured emergencies for tourists as part of an insurance scam. This made it difficult for insurance companies to verify Mount Everest incidents in Nepal. Authorities found that guides purposely poisoned Mount Everest climbers. They put baking powder in their food to replicate the symptoms of altitude sickness.
Mount Everest Climbers Poisoned
They then faked the need for emergency services, ruining climbers' trips and gaining money in the process. Guides allegedly gave climbers diamox (Acetazolamide) tablets. These are used to treat altitude sickness. Basically, they allegedly manufactured emergencies even when there wouldn't have been any.
Altitude sickness can be dangerous and can lead to tragedy. So climbers took it seriously. "Altitude sickness is when your body doesn't have time to adjust to lower oxygen availability higher up in the atmosphere," according to the Cleveland Clinic.
But the guides weren't the only ones allegedly in on the scam. The investigation found that helicopter companies, organizations, and even local hospitals played along. They followed along with the manufactured emergency helicopter evacuations. Climbers were taken to the hospital for costly treatments.
Authorities found that Era International Hospital allegedly took over $15.87 million. Meanwhile, Shreedhi International Hospital allegedly made $1.22 million the scam as well. As far as helicopter companies go, Mountain Rescue Service allegedly carried out 171 fraudulent rescues.
They collected $10.31 million from international insurance companies. Meanwhile, Nepal Charter Service allegedly made $8.2 million, and Everest Experience and Assistance made $11.04 million from the scam. We'll see what becomes of the investigation as it continues.
