A British tourist has tragically died after sustaining severe injuries during a trek in the Himalayas. The 27-year-old man, who was hiking in the Dhauladhar mountain range in northern India, fell while descending from the Triund trail on Sunday evening. Despite a strenuous rescue effort, he was declared dead upon arrival at a local hospital on Monday.
The British tourist, along with another 27-year-old man, had embarked on a short hike to the Triund trail from Dharamkot to Triund, a popular 6km (3.7 miles) route that brings hikers to an altitude just below 3,000 meters above sea level. Local tourism websites often describe the trek as an easy hike for relatively fit beginners.
Local authorities believe the men were unaware that high-altitude trekking in the area is prohibited during the winter months, a safety measure aimed at reducing the risks posed by harsh conditions. The two tourists had arrived in Dharamshala on Friday and set off on their hike on Sunday. However, during their descent, the injured man fell, sustaining rib injuries that would prove fatal.
Once the distress call was received at 6 p.m. on Sunday, the Himachal Pradesh state disaster response force mobilized a team of 10 rescuers. They began their climb from the nearby town of Thathri and, after overcoming difficult terrain, located the men four kilometers uphill from Dritto Cafe at around 10:30 p.m.
Due to the rough terrain and the need to cross a rivulet multiple times, the rescue operation was slow and challenging. It took nearly two hours for the team to cover just 100 meters. Despite the exhaustion, the first team continued to make progress, but by early Monday morning, backup teams were called in. In total, it took nearly 20 hours for the rescuers to bring the critically injured man down the mountain. He was finally transported to a hospital by ambulance after 5 p.m. on Monday but was pronounced dead shortly afterward.
The identity of the deceased tourist has not been officially confirmed. The Foreign Office spokesperson expressed their condolences on Wednesday, stating, “We are supporting the family of a British man who has died in India and are in contact with the local authorities.”
The incident highlights the dangers of high-altitude trekking, especially in regions where conditions can quickly become treacherous. Local authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.
