Two Belgian hikers stranded in the Indian Himalayas have been rescued, a Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed on Monday.

Peter Van Geit and his friend Sneha were trapped in the snowy Bhangal Valley for five days. After broadcasting a distress message via the WhatsApp application, the two Belgians found themselves in contact with local Indian authorities who made the necessary arrangements for their evacuation, even asking the air force for support from helicopters.

Meanwhile, a rescue team consisting of police and pedestrians managed to reach where the two Belgians were before bringing them back to the city of Kullu.

This information was confirmed by Nicolas Fierens Gevaert, spokesperson for FPS Overseas. “They have been rescued by the Indian authorities, who are in direct contact with them. They are safe and sound, that is good news.”

Sneha has snow blindness.

“My friend Sneha and I crossed the Kaliheni pass on 5th October at 14.00 towards Bara Bhangal. We have been at the Devi ki Marhi II Shepherd’s Stone Shelter for three days. Sneha suffers from snow blindness and therefore it is impossible for us to get out of this difficult terrain located at 14,000 feet (about 4,250 meters)“, wrote Peter Van Geit in a message to the climbing group Sunshine Adventure, which is based in Kullu.Our position: 32.22396° N, 76.99276°, E rock shelter covered with a green tent near the Kaliheni nullah stream“.”We are running out of food and Sneha cannot walk on this land. We need an immediate helicopter evacuation. There is a flat space nearby to land on. Please send help“, concluded the message.

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