Four Pangong tourists traced safe in Himachal after days-long search
Shimla/Keylong, Jan 14,
Four tourists who had gone missing after visiting Pangong Lake were traced safe in Himachal Pradesh following an intensive, multi-day search operation coordinated by the Lahaul and Spiti police, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
Police said the tourists had departed Pangong Lake in their private vehicle on the evening of January 9 around 5.30 pm. They remained in contact with their families that day, but all communication ceased thereafter. Concerned family members approached the police on January 13, triggering an immediate search operation.
Preliminary investigation revealed that while returning towards Leh, the tourists reached Karu and inadvertently followed a signboard that led them towards the Leh–Manali highway instead of their intended route. Mobile location data later indicated that the vehicle was moving in the direction of Manali, prompting authorities to expand the search towards high-altitude stretches of the highway.
Police teams conducted extensive searches in and around Debring and the Whisky Nala area. Further tracking revealed that the tourists had reached the Sarchu region, where their vehicle skidded due to icy road conditions. Although the vehicle did not meet with a serious accident, the Leh–Manali highway was closed at the time due to harsh winter conditions, leaving them stranded.
Officials said the tourists spent two nights inside the vehicle, intermittently using the heater to survive the sub-zero temperatures until the diesel supply was exhausted. With no option left, they walked nearly 15 to 20 kilometres in search of assistance before taking shelter in a nearby hut, from where they were eventually traced.
All four were provided immediate medical examination and were found to be stable. Arrangements have been made to bring them to Manali, where they are expected to reunite with their families on January 14.
Police once again urged tourists to strictly follow travel advisories and avoid closed or high-altitude routes during winter months, warning that extreme weather and unpredictable road conditions in the region can turn fatal within hours.
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