Punjab teen taking fenced shortcut on Hemkund route dies after falling in gorge
Gurpreet Singh, a resident of Kale village in Amritsar district, was part of a 90-member pilgrimage group headed to the high-altitude shrine.
Govindghat police said that he strayed from the designated trail and attempted to use an old, damaged shortcut path that had been officially closed for safety reasons. After crossing a safety railing, he slipped and fell into a steep gorge.
Rescue teams from the Govindghat police, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and local units launched an immediate operation.
Despite the rugged terrain and steep slopes, they found Gurpreet and brought him back to the main trail. He was rushed to the nearest hospital, where he was declared dead on arrival.
Nand Kishor Joshi, disaster management officer of Chamoli, said, "The recent death highlights the serious risks involved in deviating from designated trekking paths. Despite repeated warnings and signage posted along the route, some pilgrims still attempt to take shortcuts that are either damaged, unsafe, or officially closed.
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
അപൂർവ്വയിനം റോസാ വിത്തുകൾ: വേഗത്തിലുള്ള ഡെലിവറി
Rare Climbing Rose Seeds
Learn More
Undo
by Taboola
by Taboola
These actions not only endanger their own lives but also pose challenges for rescue teams operating in difficult terrain.
We urge all yatris to strictly adhere to safety protocols and follow the marked trails to prevent such tragedies."
Gurpreet's death brings the number of fatalities during this year's yatra to four since it began on May 25. All four occurred within the initial weeks of the pilgrimage, which attracts thousands of Sikh and Hindu devotees annually to the Himalayan shrine, located at an altitude of over 15,000 feet.
Earlier, Karamjit Singh, 32, a pilgrim from Karnal, Haryana, died after being struck by falling boulders near Atalakoti while descending from the shrine. In two other incidents, Kuldeep Singh, 74, from Delhi, and another pilgrim, aged around 50 and yet to be identified, died of suspected cardiac complications. According to state govt data, over 2 lakh pilgrims have undertaken the Hemkund Sahib yatra since the season began.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
3 men who went missing while fishing and swimming in Mississippi River found dead
3 men who went missing while fishing and swimming in Mississippi River found dead MEMPHIS: Three men who were reported missing while fishing and swimming on a sandbar in the Mississippi River have been found dead near Memphis, Tennessee, authorities said Wednesday. Search and rescue teams with the Shelby county sheriff's office and other Memphis-area agencies began looking for the men Tuesday evening after they were reported missing near a boat ramp at Meeman-Shelby Forest State Park, authorities said. The search, which included aircraft, rescue boats and the use of sonar, was suspended Tuesday night because of darkness. It resumed Wednesday morning, the sheriff's office said. The first two bodies were recovered about 11 am and the third about 12:45 p.m., the sheriff's office said. A cause of death will be determined by the medical examiner. The three men were described as Hispanic, ranging in age from their 20s to their 50s, the county fire department said. Officials say the area has become increasingly popular for recreation at the state park in Shelby forest, located north of Memphis. But the river is treacherous, with several hazards present, including strong currents, submerged items, branches and debris. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 15 most beautiful women in the world Undo "There are eddy currents that can pull an Olympic swimmer under. You can be drawn into the channel and find yourself staring at a 24-unit barge that's the size of a skyscraper on its side coming straight at you with no way for the barge crew to have any idea that you are there," the fire department said on Facebook. Authorities are investigating what happened to the men.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Dombivli clinic case takes 'U-turn': Receptionist caught hitting accused's relative first; ‘migrant vs Marathi' debate flares up
NEW DELHI: A new twist has emerged in the case of the assault on a woman receptionist at a private paediatrics hospital in Maharashtra's Thane district, after a video surfaced showing her striking the accused man's female relative first, police said on Wednesday. Earlier, a viral video showed the accused, Gokul Jha, kicking the receptionist and dragging her by her hair across the reception floor of the hospital in Kalyan on Monday evening. He allegedly attacked her after she refused to let him enter the doctor's chamber without an appointment. Jha was arrested by police on Tuesday in connection with the assault. However, a new video now shows that the receptionist may have initiated the confrontation by hitting Jha's sister-in-law shortly before Jha launched his attack on her. The incident occurred at Shree Bal Chikitsalaya in the Kalyan East area on Monday evening. After the assault, Jha fled the scene and attempted to change his appearance by shaving his beard and trimming his hair. He was later apprehended by locals on Tuesday and handed over to the police, an official said. Based on the complaint filed by the receptionist, the Manpada police registered a case against Jha under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for assault, use of obscene language, and outraging the modesty of a woman. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Use an AI Writing Tool That Actually Understands Your Voice Grammarly Install Now Undo While Jha was absconding, police detained his brother Ranjit and other relatives who were present at the hospital at the time of the incident, the official added. The receptionist reportedly sustained critical injuries and is undergoing treatment at a hospital in Dombivli. On Wednesday, the Kalyan District and Sessions Court remanded Jha in police custody for two days. According to police, Jha had visited the hospital along with his wife, sister-in-law, and a child for a consultation. The receptionist asked them to wait as the doctor was engaged with a representative from a pharmaceutical company. An argument reportedly broke out between the receptionist and the Jha family over the sequence of patient admissions. During the exchange, the receptionist allegedly struck Jha's sister-in-law on the earlobe. Enraged upon learning about the incident, Jha rushed into the reception area and assaulted her. The emergence of the new video showing the receptionist hitting a member of the Jha family has complicated the investigation further. When asked about the development, a senior official from Manpada police station said, "Investigation into the case is still underway and based on the evidence, further action will be taken." Meanwhile, the case has taken on a political dimension, being framed as a 'migrants versus Marathi' issue, with several political leaders demanding stringent action against Jha. Speaking to reporters before Jha's arrest, Maharashtra Navnirman Sena's Thane and Palghar districts chief Avinash Jadhav said, "A migrant has beaten up a Marathi woman. We urge the police to take stringent action against him and arrest him." BJP state president Ravindra Chavan met with Deputy Commissioner of Police Atul Zende late Tuesday night and pressed for swift action. Shiv Sena's district president Dipesh Mhatre and local MNS leader Raju Patil also called for strict action by the police in the matter. (With agency inputs)
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Second hate attack in 2 days: Hindu temple defaced in Australia with racist graffiti; probe under way
A Hindu temple in Melbourne's eastern suburb of Boronia was defaced with racist graffiti this week, prompting widespread condemnation and a police investigation into what authorities are calling a 'linked series' of hate-motivated attacks. As reported by The Brisbane Times and The Sydney Morning Herald, offensive red graffiti with the words 'Go home' and other racial slurs were found daubed across the Shree Swaminarayan Temple on Wadhurst Drive, as well as two nearby Asian-operated restaurants Kingsland Chinese Restaurant and Charles King Dumpling. Police said a healing centre on Mountain Highway was also defaced the same night, bringing the total number of sites attacked to four. 'There is absolutely no place at all in our society for hate-based and racist behaviour,' Victoria Police said in a statement. Authorities confirmed that all four incidents are being treated as linked and that an investigation is under way. 'An attack on our right to worship' Makrand Bhagwat, President of the Hindu Council of Australia's Victoria chapter, told Australia Today the vandalism of the temple was 'heartbreaking' for the community. 'Our temple is meant to be a sanctuary of peace, devotion and unity,' he said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Premium 1 BHK at Mahindra Citadel – Coming Soon! Mahindra Citadel Enquire Now Undo 'To have it targeted in this way feels like an attack on our identity, our right to worship and freedom of religion.' Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan sent a personal message of support to temple management. 'What happened this week was hateful, racist and deeply disturbing,' she wrote. 'It wasn't just vandalism – it was a deliberate act of hate, designed to intimidate, isolate, and spread fear.' Local interfaith networks, including the City of Greater Knox's Multifaith Network, have expressed support. 'We want to show that love and solidarity triumph over hate,' said community leader Vikrant Thakur. Indian man targeted in racist attack This came after a 23-year-old Indian man, Charanpreet Singh, was brutally attacked and left unconscious on a street in Adelaide following a reported racist assault linked to a parking dispute. According to 9News, the men allegedly told Singh to "f--- off, Indian" before launching a violent, unprovoked assault. 'They just said 'f--- off, Indian', and after that they just started punching,' Singh said. 'I tried to fight back, but they beat me until I was unconscious.' He sustained serious injuries, including brain trauma and facial fractures. A 20-year-old from Enfield was arrested and charged, but others involved remain at large.
