diff --git a/.changeset/async-each-controlled-pending.md b/.changeset/async-each-controlled-pending.md
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..c37f914d13
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.changeset/async-each-controlled-pending.md
@@ -0,0 +1,5 @@
+---
+'svelte': patch
+---
+
+fix: skip controlled each fast path while another batch is pending
diff --git a/packages/svelte/src/internal/client/dom/blocks/each.js b/packages/svelte/src/internal/client/dom/blocks/each.js
index 2df1d6ffa1..9a2504f887 100644
--- a/packages/svelte/src/internal/client/dom/blocks/each.js
+++ b/packages/svelte/src/internal/client/dom/blocks/each.js
@@ -103,8 +103,12 @@ function pause_effects(state, to_destroy, controlled_anchor) {
 	if (remaining === 0) {
 		// If we're in a controlled each block (i.e. the block is the only child of an
 		// element), and we are removing all items, _and_ there are no out transitions,
-		// we can use the fast path — emptying the element and replacing the anchor
-		var fast_path = transitions.length === 0 && controlled_anchor !== null;
+		// we can use the fast path — emptying the element and replacing the anchor.
+		// Skip the fast path when another batch is still pending on this each block:
+		// that batch's keys still reference EachItems in `state.items`, which
+		// `destroy_effects` needs to preserve offscreen (see #18610).
+		var fast_path =
+			transitions.length === 0 && controlled_anchor !== null && state.pending.size === 0;
 
 		if (fast_path) {
 			var anchor = /** @type {Element} */ (controlled_anchor);
diff --git a/packages/svelte/tests/runtime-runes/samples/async-each-controlled-empty-pending/_config.js b/packages/svelte/tests/runtime-runes/samples/async-each-controlled-empty-pending/_config.js
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..29d374deec
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/svelte/tests/runtime-runes/samples/async-each-controlled-empty-pending/_config.js
@@ -0,0 +1,50 @@
+import { tick } from 'svelte';
+import { test } from '../../test';
+
+// Regression for #18610: emptying a controlled keyed {#each} while another
+// batch is still pending must not take the fast path that clears state.items
+// before destroy_effects walks pending keys.
+export default test({
+	mode: ['client'],
+
+	async test({ assert, target }) {
+		await tick();
+
+		assert.htmlEqual(
+			target.innerHTML,
+			`
+				<button>startA</button>
+				<button>startB</button>
+				<button>settleB</button>
+				<p>A0/B0</p>
+				<div><span>1</span><span>2</span></div>
+			`
+		);
+
+		const [startA, startB, settleB] = target.querySelectorAll('button');
+
+		// Batch A: add key 9, then block forever on gate A.
+		startA.click();
+		await tick();
+
+		// Batch B: empty the collection, then block on gate B.
+		startB.click();
+		await tick();
+
+		// Settle B first so B commits while A is still pending.
+		// Without the fix this throws reading `.e` of undefined and leaves a/b stuck.
+		settleB.click();
+		await tick();
+
+		assert.htmlEqual(
+			target.innerHTML,
+			`
+				<button>startA</button>
+				<button>startB</button>
+				<button>settleB</button>
+				<p>A0/B1</p>
+				<div></div>
+			`
+		);
+	}
+});
diff --git a/packages/svelte/tests/runtime-runes/samples/async-each-controlled-empty-pending/main.svelte b/packages/svelte/tests/runtime-runes/samples/async-each-controlled-empty-pending/main.svelte
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000..68c3937c25
--- /dev/null
+++ b/packages/svelte/tests/runtime-runes/samples/async-each-controlled-empty-pending/main.svelte
@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+<script>
+	let base = $state([1, 2]);
+	let extraKey = $state(/** @type {number | null} */ (null));
+	let tickA = $state(0);
+	let tickB = $state(0);
+
+	// Two independent sources so the batches touch disjoint source sets
+	// and are not merged.
+	const items = $derived(extraKey === null ? base : [...base, extraKey]);
+
+	/** @type {((value: string) => void) | undefined} */
+	let resolveB;
+
+	/**
+	 * @param {string} name
+	 * @param {number} n
+	 */
+	const gate = (name, n) =>
+		n === 0
+			? Promise.resolve(`${name}0`)
+			: new Promise((r) => {
+					if (name === 'B') resolveB = r;
+				});
+
+	const a = $derived(await gate('A', tickA));
+	const b = $derived(await gate('B', tickB));
+
+	function startA() {
+		extraKey = 9;
+		tickA = 1;
+	}
+
+	function startB() {
+		base = [];
+		tickB = 1;
+	}
+
+	function settleB() {
+		resolveB?.('B1');
+	}
+</script>
+
+<button onclick={startA}>startA</button>
+<button onclick={startB}>startB</button>
+<button onclick={settleB}>settleB</button>
+
+<p>{a}/{b}</p>
+
+<!-- Sole child so the each block is controlled and the fast path applies. -->
+<div>
+	{#each items as item (item)}
+		<span>{item}</span>
+	{/each}
+</div>