In Bir-Billing, Himachal Pradesh, a Belgian paraglider died after colliding with another paraglider in mid-air when his parachute failed to open. The accident occurred on Tuesday, four days before the 2024 Paragliding World Cup, scheduled to start on November 2, at Bir-Billing in Kangra district.
Authorities said the two paragliders collided in mid-air, resulting in the death of Ferrets, a resident of Belgium, while the other paraglider from Poland was injured. He said the ferrets were about 60 years old and paragliding.
10 paragliders flew together
Kangra Tourism Deputy Director Vinay Dhiman said 10 paragliders were flying together and two of them collided with each other in the air. He said the ferrets died because their parachute did not open after the accident.
Vinay Dhiman said the risk of accidents increases when travelers enter high-risk areas or inland valleys with little knowledge of local topography and air conditions.
A Polish paraglider died a year ago
Vinay Dhiman said that we are in the process of documenting the temperature in Bir-Billing area with the help of experts to reduce the chances of accidents during flight. This is not the first time such incidents have occurred in the Bir-Billing Valley. In October last year, Polish paraglider Andrzej died while paragliding in Bir-Billing.
What did Kangra SP Shalini Agnihotri say?
Kangra Superintendent of Police Shalini Agnihotri said police have directed officials to register paragliders, follow specific routes and ensure they do not fly over military areas.
Paragliding World Cup will be held from November 2
Avinash Negi, director of Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Mountaineering and Allied Sports (ABVIMAS) in Manali, said that in view of the accidents, a proposal to install special towers on high mountains to mark the accident sites is being considered. 130 paragliders from 50 countries will participate in the World Cup to be held here from November 2 to 9.
