Spanish paraglider goes missing in Himachal Pradesh

DHARAMSHALA: A

Spanish paraglider

, Jose Lewis, 40, has gone

missing

in Kangra valley of

Himachal Pradesh

. He has taken off from Bir Billing on Saturday and had gone missing. The authorities have formed a team and have started a rescue operation. Bir Billing is one of the highest

paragliding

taking off site in the world.

On Sunday, the rescue team searched the surroundings on a helicopter, but there is no trace of the

missing paraglider

.

When contacted, Vikas Shukla, sub divisional magistrate (SDM) of Baijnath area, told TOI that the paraglider had taken off from Bir Billing and disappeared in the hills. Shukla is also the chairman of the SADA (Special Area Development Authority) which regulates paragliding in the region.

“About 40 paragliders combed the hills to find the Spanish pilot on Saturday and a helicopter was deployed on Sunday. An aerial survey was done on the mountain ranges of Dhauladhar. But after the weather turned bad, the operation was called off. It would start again on Monday morning,” he said.

In an another such incident that took place this week, a Russian paraglider was stuck but was rescued. The region attract many paragliders from across the globe.

It was learnt that the Spanish paraglider was a free flyer. According to rules, free flyers have to register themselves with the local authorities. Based on insurance, level of experience and the the licence, permission was given to free flyers by the local authorities. Regulating authorities have fixed a nominal fee of Rs 700 for a week of registration.

In most cases it was the insurance companies of the flyers that deploy helicopters and make other arrangements for the rescue operation. Local police and authorities assist the rescue operation.

About 200 pilots have come to Bir Billing to participate in the international championship of the paragliding that would start from October 27.