17 Tourists Rescued After Nightlong Ordeal in Odisha Forest

Fast Summary

• Rescue Operation: 17 tourists, including 13 women, were rescued atop Gandhamardhan Hill in Odisha on Thursday (July 24, 2025) after spending a harrowing night lost in a dense forest.
• Details of Incident: the group was on an 18-kilometre pilgrimage trek connecting the twin temples of Nrusinghnath and Harishankar but lost their way as daylight faded. They faced heavy rain, pitch darkness, and chilly winds at a height of 3,000 feet.
• Dialog & Rescue: Despite patchy mobile connectivity, they managed to alert authorities.A team comprising police and District Voluntary Force (DVF) commandos equipped with food supplies and rescue gear launched operations late Wednesday night.
• Mission Challenges: Heavy rains made navigating the slippery terrain difficult for both tourists and rescuers. The presence of Left Wing Extremists escalated risks while one visually impaired tourist required evacuation via stretcher due to mobility challenges. Wildlife threats added to the ordeal experienced by two children aged seven and eight accompanying the group.
• Outcome: Rescue teams located the stranded group early Thursday morning after approximately 14 hours of efforts amidst challenging conditions.

Indian Opinion Analysis

The incident highlights several critical aspects regarding rural tourism activities in India: preparedness during treks through remote areas amid challenging terrains; importance of emergency communication infrastructure; and coordination among local authorities during natural hazards or crises like this episode.While heroic rescue efforts minimized potential casualties here-especially given wildlife danger zones-questions arise about safety protocols for such pilgrimages that draw visitors into relatively inaccessible regions compounded by potential extremist threats.

This event underscores not only the resilience demonstrated by those involved but also offers valuable insights into areas requiring investment in technology-backed tracking tools or better-trained support systems for organized treks within ecologically sensitive regions like Gandhamardhan Hill.

read more: The Hindu