A 24-year-old student from Andhra Pradesh, pursuing his Master's degree in the United States, has been reported missing under alarming circumstances during a solo winter trip to Alaska. The disappearance has triggered a frantic search effort involving friends and local authorities.
Timeline of Disappearance: From Houston to Denali
Karasani Hari Krishna Reddy, hailing from Guntur district, was studying for his MS in Houston, Texas. He embarked on a solo vacation using public transport on December 22, during the Christmas holidays. His last communication with friends and family in India was on December 30.
According to his friends in the US, Hari had checked into a hotel in Denali, Alaska. His mobile phone signal was last traced to the Denali area on December 31. He had informed his roommates before leaving Houston that he planned to stay in Denali and would return by January 3 or 4.
Search Efforts and Critical Details
Concerned when they could not reach him, his friends initially assumed network issues in the remote, mountainous region. However, their worry escalated upon checking his credit card activity, which revealed a transaction for a local cab service in Alaska. They officially reported him missing on January 3.
The Alaska State Troopers confirmed that Hari was last seen leaving the Aurora Denali Lodge on December 31. Police suspect he may have travelled towards the Fairbanks area. His friends have leveraged social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram to post missing person notices, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Friends stated that Hari did not know how to drive and typically relied on public transport. The purpose of his trip remains unclear; while he mentioned a two-week vacation, it is unknown if he intended to witness the Northern Lights or participate in winter sports.
Extreme Conditions and Official Response
The timing of his trip is particularly concerning. During December 31 and January 1, temperatures in Alaska plunged to around minus 40 degrees Celsius. Such extreme winter conditions usually deter tourists due to the severe and dangerous environment.
When contacted, officials from the Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society said they had not yet received any formal request for help from Hari's parents but confirmed they are in touch with local representatives in the US to monitor the situation.
Alaska, while famous for its natural beauty and phenomena like the Aurora Borealis, is also notoriously perilous. US officials note that nearly 2,000 people go missing in Alaska every year, with many bodies never recovered, highlighting the grave risks of wilderness travel, especially in winter.
