A team of the Indian Army, Indian Air Force (IAF) and the district administration carried out a 30-hour long search and rescue operation, for a Hungarian trekker. The 38-year-old solo traveller was located in the snow-bound upper ranges of Machhail in the Kishtwar district of Jammu and Kashmir, sources told ABP News. During a mountaineering expedition, the individual identified as Akos Vermes, from Budapest, Hungary lost his way in Umasila Pass in the Himalayan ranges.
Vermes was left exposed to the icy weather of the Himalayan ranges for five days before he was rescued. In coordination with the district administration, the Rashtriya Rifles deployed in Dool and the IAF Udhampur searched the upper reaches of snowbound Machhail, Paddar, which is also remote.
After 30 hours, the traveller was located on Saturday, August 27 by the joint efforts of ground and aerial surveillance teams who conducted the search operation.
“The team of the Indian Army recovered Vermes from the treacherous glaciated heights of Umasila in sumcham valley, a defence spokesman told news agency PTI.
Soon after Vermes was taken to the district hospital at Kishtwar, he was physically examined by an Army doctor and was given immediate medical assistance. The condition of the traveller is said to be stable.
The Hungarian embassy in Delhi was informed about Vermes' well-being by the Deputy Commissioner of Kishtwar via video call. Lt Col Anand further added that the efforts of the Army and the Air Force were highly appreciated by the district administration and the Hungarian embassy.
Vermes thanked the Army for his timely rescue.
"I was in a very difficult situation...I am very thankful to the Indian army for finding and taking me to safety,” the tourist said in a message shared by the Army, reported PTI.
(With inputs from Asif Qureshi.)