A 16-year-old boy from Madhya Pradesh, Parva Asat, was rescued on Sunday after falling into a cave-like crevice while trekking alone on Matanga Hill near Hampi. The operation, which lasted several hours, involved the Hampi Tourist Helpline team, local police, fire, and emergency services.
Parva, who was staying at a homestay in Hampi, slipped and fell into a 10–15 feet deep cave while trekking solo. He remained trapped for nearly six to seven hours before managing to call emergency number 112 despite poor signal in the area. The police promptly responded and coordinated with local guides and emergency teams to locate and rescue him. Fortunately, he escaped without any serious injuries.
Yaksha S, team leader of the Hampi Tourist Helpline, said, “The Hampi police alerted one of our team members. As local guides familiar with the terrain, we assisted the fire and emergency services in the rescue operation. Thanks to the boy’s quick thinking and our coordinated efforts, he was safely rescued.”
Hampi police official Nagaraj H confirmed the boy fell into a 10–15 feet deep cave and was trekking alone when he lost his footing. “He contacted the helpline after being trapped for several hours, and we managed to rescue him safely,” he added.
Local resident and social activist Virupakshi V expressed concern over the lack of safety measures at Matanga Hill. “For over a decade, we’ve been requesting the Archaeological Survey of India and other authorities to install safety barricades at dangerous spots, but no action has been taken. This incident underlines the urgent need for barricades and warning signs.”
Following the incident, police have advised tourists to avoid solo treks and to inform local authorities or guides before exploring the area.