Russian national hurt in paraglider crash at Solang Nala

A Russian national was injured after his paraglider crashed in Solang Nala near the tourist town of Manali on October 20. The injured paraglider, identified as Nikita Vasitov (38), was rescued and taken to a local hospital for treatment.

According to information, Vasitov and two companions had taken off from Bir Billing in Kangra district. After an initial landing near Shangchar village above Parsha in Manali, the trio camped overnight in the forest. The following day, they started again from Shangchar, aiming to land in Solang Valley. However, during descent, Vasitov’s glider crashed near the designated landing zone.

Kullu SP Karthikeyan Gokulachanran stated that Vasitov sustained minor injuries. He later departed for Delhi. No further communication was received by the local authorities.

This incident adds to a troubling pattern of paragliding accidents involving foreign nationals in Himachal Pradesh. On October 30 last year, a paraglider from the Czech Republic, Dita Misurcova (43), died after crashing near Marhi, midway between Manali and Rohtang Pass. Earlier on October 25, three foreign pilots, including one woman, who had taken off from Bir Billing, were stranded in the higher reaches of Lug Valley and Fozal area in Kullu. They had to be rescued via helicopter.

These incidents have intensified scrutiny over the lack of regulation and oversight in cross-district paragliding flights from Bir Billing to Manali and Kullu. Despite repeated warnings and media coverage, authorities have yet to implement stringent safety protocols or enforce registration of take-off sites. Experts have called for urgent reforms to prevent further tragedies and ensure safer skies for adventure tourists.