Two Bulgarian nationals lost their lives while the other survived and was rescued in a safe manner in Dharamshala, in the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh, police said.
The dead have been named as Maxim Valentinovich Gavrilichenko, and the other tourist Stephen Antony. Police sources say Gavrilichenko came to India on 7th October on a tourist visa.
Near-Rise Star Peak, Accident.
The tour two started at Bir Billing about 11 am on Sunday and did a solo paragliding. The incident happened between 3 pm and 3.30 pm at the height of 2,700 metres near Rising Star Peak in Khanaira area of Dharamshala.
Gavrilichenko is said to have hit the ground and killed himself, while Antony survived. Preliminary data indicate strong winds were a possibility in the accident. But the cause will be determined once an investigation is completed.
A rescue operation, which was to be continued overnight has been carried out.
The District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and other teams initiated its rescue and recovery mission around 9 pm Sunday as it received information about the incident.
The activity was challenging due to accident site location in remote mountainous area. Rescue operations concentrated on finding the precise location, communication with each other, coordination of field parties and deployment of resources.
The operation lasted overnight and was finished at about 10am on Monday. During the rescue operation Antony was assisted and airlifted.
Police undertake legal procedures.
After the recovery action Gavrilichenko’s body was delivered to the competent department for further actions. Officials are holding his body at post mortem room of Zonal Hospital, Dharamshala while it is to be examined.
Police stated that the proper procedures were being followed. After investigation, more information will be available about what led to the accident.