US-Israeli hiker missing in northern India amid harsh weather conditions

An Israeli-American man has been missing since Friday after hiking in the mountains near Dharamshala in northern India, prompting an extensive search effort by local authorities, Israeli volunteers, and private rescue teams.

Samuel Vengrinovich, a 44-year-old resident of Jaffa, was last seen on Friday during a trek to the Triund Ridge, a popular hiking destination in the Himachal Pradesh region.

According to fellow hikers, Vengrionovitch left his bag, including his cell phone, at the overnight campsite and continued toward the nearby snow line — a higher, more dangerous section of the trail – despite deteriorating weather.

Hagai, an Israeli hiker who encountered Samuel on the trail, says the conditions were tougher than usual. He fears Samuel may be stranded and in urgent need of rescue.

When Vengrinovich failed to return to the campsite or make contact with friends, alarmed travelers notified local authorities and the Foreign Ministry. The Israeli Embassy in India has since been coordinating with police and rescue officials in the region.

Over the weekend, a number of Israeli backpackers joined the search, along with Chabad of Dharamshala and Magnus International Search & Rescue, a private Israeli firm specializing in emergency response.

Vlad Vengrinovich, the father of the missing hiker – who did not have travel insurance – has launched an online fundraising campaign to help cover search and rescue expenses, including a potential helicopter operation.