A series of tragic events has unfolded in the scenic paragliding hotspot of Manali, with two foreign nationals losing their lives in separate incidents within a 48-hour period. The latest victim, identified as 43-year-old Dita Misurcova from the Czech Republic, tragically died on Wednesday after crashing into a mountainside near Marhi. This heartbreaking accident follows the death of a Belgian paraglider just a day prior, raising serious concerns about safety in the region as it gears up for the upcoming Paragliding World Cup 2024.
Paragliding Accidents Leave Two Dead In Manali
Dita Misurcova, an experienced solo paraglider with six years in the sport, reportedly lost control while navigating the turbulent winds that swept through the area. Eyewitnesses indicated that strong gusts contributed to her loss of control, leading to the devastating crash. According to PTI via Hindustan Times, despite immediate efforts to rescue her and transport her to a nearby hospital, she was pronounced dead shortly after arrival.
In a related incident on Tuesday, a Belgian paraglider named Feyaret lost his life after a mid-air collision with another paraglider. Reports indicate that the two paragliders, who took off separately, collided while airborne, resulting in a catastrophic failure of Feyaret’s parachute.
At the time of the accident, there were ten paragliders in the air. As per the Hindustan Times reports, the deputy director of tourism for Kangra district, Vinay Dhiman, confirmed that the impact led to the complete failure of Feyaret’s parachute, resulting in a fatal descent.
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Authorities Raise Safety Concerns
Authorities and paragliding experts have expressed concern over the increasing number of accidents, noting that the risk escalates when paragliders venture into high-risk zones or areas where they lack familiarity with local wind conditions and topography. Vinay Dhiman emphasised the need for greater awareness and knowledge among paragliders, Hindustan Times reported. In response to these recent tragedies, officials are undertaking efforts to document the thermals in the Bir-Billing area with the help of experts, aiming to enhance safety measures and reduce the likelihood of future incidents.
As the region prepares to host the Paragliding World Cup 2024, scheduled to begin on November 2, these incidents have cast a shadow over the event and prompted a renewed focus on safety protocols for paragliding.
Local authorities are urging all participants and enthusiasts to prioritise safety.
Cover Image Courtesy: Canva