Bhubaneswar: A group of 17 tourists from Chhattisgarh, who went missing in the Gandhamardan hills of Western Odisha during a pilgrimage to Narsingh Nath and Harishankar temples, has been safely rescued.
The rescue operation was made possible through the concerted efforts of the DVF forces, forest officials, police, and fire services personnel, who braved challenging weather conditions and terrain to reach the stranded tourists. Thanks to their prompt response and coordination, all 17 tourists were rescued without any harm.
According to reports, the tourists, who were on a trip to explore various tourist destinations in Western Odisha, took a wrong turn while walking on a hilly path and got lost in the dense forest.
After realising they were lost, the tourists reportedly informed the police control room in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday evening, and a rescue operation was launched.
A team of DVF forces, forest officials, police, and fire services personnel were deployed to rescue the tourists. However, the rescue operation was challenging due to heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and the presence of elephants in the area. After a prolonged search operation, the rescue team finally tracked the tourists’ mobile phones and reached them. All 17 tourists were safely rescued and taken to a secure location. They are currently safe and being provided with necessary assistance, said sources.
