Woman missing after trek to Tadiandamol Hill in Kodagu; Search enters third day
Madikeri: A 36-year-old woman from Kerala has been reported missing after setting out on a trek to Tadiandamol Hill, with search operations entering the third day without any breakthrough.
The missing woman, identified as Sharanya, had joined a group of trekkers who climbed the hill on Thursday. While the rest of the group returned safely, Sharanya did not make her way back, leading to immediate concern.
Initial search efforts were launched the same night by forest department officials, staff, and local villagers, who combed the surrounding areas of the hill. Despite extensive efforts, no trace of the missing woman was found.
On Friday, search operations intensified, with two police teams comprising local personnel and three teams from the forest department conducting a thorough search across the dense and steep forest regions around the hill. However, these efforts also failed to yield any leads.
Authorities have deployed drones and sniffer dogs, considering the possibility that she may be stranded in a difficult or inaccessible part of the terrain. With no success after two days, the Anti-Naxal Force (ANF) has now been roped in to assist in the search operations starting Saturday, Kodagu Superintendent of Police Bindu Moni confirmed.
The incident has been communicated to Sharanya’s family in Kochi, Kerala. Her brother, Shyam, has arrived at the site.
Since the day of her disappearance, local residents, police personnel, and forest officials have been working continuously in coordination to locate the missing trekker.
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345 Indian fishermen stranded in Iran return home via Armenia
New Delhi (PTI): A group of 345 Indian fishermen, who were stranded in Iran amid escalating regional tensions, returned to India via Armenia on Saturday, officials said.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked his Armenian counterpart Ararat Mirzoyan for assistance in return of the Indian nationals.
The Indian nationals arrived in Chennai this evening, the officials cited above said.
The circumstances that led to them being stranded in Iran were not immediately known.
"Thank FM @AraratMirzoyan and the Government of Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen today from Iran, through Armenia to India," Jaishankar said on social media.
Over 1,500 Indian nationals have left Iran through land border crossings in Armenia and Azerbaijan since the start of the West Asia conflict over a month ago.
"A group of Indian fishermen, stranded in Iran, are returning home via Armenia today; their flight is expected to reach India this evening," a government statement said.
It said the Ministry of External Affairs continues to closely monitor the evolving situation in the West Asian region, with the safety, security and welfare of the Indian community being accorded the highest priority.
It also made a mention of five Indians being injured in Abu Dhabi on Friday.
According to Abu Dhabi authorities, the Indian nationals were among the 12 people injured by debris from an intercepted missile.
"In an attack in Abu Dhabi, five Indian nationals were injured; four have been discharged, one remains under treatment," the Indian government's statement said.
It said the Indian mission in Abu Dhabi is extending "full" assistance and coordinating with local authorities, adding that their flight is expected to reach India this evening.
