Published: January 12, 2008
Norwegian Tourist Still Untraced in Kashmir
By Fayaz Wani
Srinagar, Jan 12: The missing Norwegian woman tourist has not been traced yet. Police are continuing search operations to trace her.
Norwegian woman tourist, Francesca Rongne went missing from the winter health resort, Gulmarg in Kashmir on January 8. She is believed to have set off for a skiing expedition on the snow-clad alpine slopes within a few hours of her checking into a hotel, namely Green Heights.
Authorities in Kashmir have formed four different teams, including a ski patrol party from the Kashmir Tourism Department. These parties are searching for the missing tourist in different directions. Their search continued for the fourth consecutive day today.
A top police officer told News Blaze that police and tourism officials are continuing their search to trace her out. "We have not ended our search operations. Every effort is being made to find her. We hope she is safe", he said.
Asked if it should be presumed that the missing tourist is dead, the police officer said, "No. Unless and until we get her body, we cannot consider her dead. For us she is a living being and we are searching for her".
It is in place to mention here that Franciska Rogne also went missing last year with two foreign tourists from Israel and Austria while skiing in the higher reaches of the ski-resort.
"She was trapped in an avalanche and had taken shelter in a snow cave near Sunshine peak. After six days, I finally rescued her and two other skiers. I fear she is again in trouble," said Majid Bakshi, a local ski guide.
Fayaz Wani reports on life in Srinagar, Kashmir.
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