SHIMLA: A 58-year-old Russian tourist died after being buried in an avalanche while skiing in the Kothi area near Manali in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district, police said on Sunday.
The victim, identified as Daniel, had travelled to Kothi village with friends for a skiing expedition on Friday when a sudden avalanche struck, trapping him under the snow.
Local residents and emergency responders managed to retrieve him, but he succumbed to his injuries after being airlifted to a govt hospital in Manali.
State authorities have issued repeated advisories against visiting high-altitude areas during winter due to the risk of avalanches and extreme weather conditions. An official from the Kullu administration has reiterated that an annual ban is imposed on trekking in these areas to prevent accidents. “Visitors should avoid unnecessary risks and engage in adventure sports activities like skiing only in designated, safer areas with controlled conditions,” the official said.
Solang Valley, 14-odd km from Manali, remains the most popular and safer skiing destination in the region, attracting both professional and amateur skiers.
This was the second fatality involving a foreign national in Himachal Pradesh within a week. On Feb 17, a British tourist died while trekking in the Dhauladhar mountains near Dharamshala. The victim, Thomas Harry, and his companion, Robert John Emerton, had crossed Triund before attempting to descend via Thathri. During the descent, Thomas reportedly fell off a cliff and sustained severe injuries.
Despite efforts by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and police, he was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Local authorities continue to urge travelers to exercise caution and adhere to safety guidelines while undertaking high-altitude adventure activities.
Key highlights:
A 58-year-old Russian tourist, Daniel, lost his life after being buried in an avalanche while skiing in the Kothi area near Manali, Himachal Pradesh.Daniel had traveled to Kothi village with friends for a skiing expedition when a sudden avalanche struck, trapping him under the snow. Despite rescue efforts, he succumbed to his injuries after being airlifted to a government hospital in Manali.State authorities have reiterated warnings against venturing into high-altitude areas during winter due to avalanche risks. Officials emphasized that an annual ban is in place on trekking in these hazardous regions.Solang Valley, located 14 km from Manali, is promoted as a safer skiing destination with controlled conditions, attracting both professionals and amateurs.This incident marks the second foreign tourist death in Himachal Pradesh within a week. Earlier, on February 17, a British national, Thomas Harry, died after falling from a cliff while trekking in the Dhauladhar mountains near Dharamshala.
