In a dramatic late‑night rescue on Sunday, two teenagers who had gone missing while descending from the Koranappara viewpoint in Kozhikode district were safely brought down by a combined team of the Fire and Rescue Services and local residents. The incident has once again thrown the spotlight on the dangers of hill trekking after dark and the importance of sticking to safer, well‑marked routes when exploring the hilly terrain around Kozhikode.
What happened on the hill?
The two youths, Adidev (18) and Kamal (18), were part of a six‑member trekking group from Valayam that had climbed up to the Koranappara viewpoint in the evening. The viewpoint lies about 2 km off the main road and is a popular spot among local youngsters for short hikes and scenic views of the surrounding landscape. After spending some time at the top, the group began its descent after nightfall, when Adidev and Kamal lost their bearings and strayed off the main path. With poor visibility due to darkness and mist, the two could not retrace the route they had taken earlier and quickly realised they were stranded. They managed to contact their friends over the phone, who in turn alerted the local Fire and Rescue Services station in Nadapuram. The call came in around 9.25 pm, prompting an immediate response from the fire force and nearby villagers.
How the rescue unfolded
A five‑member team from the Nadapuram fire station quickly mobilised and set off towards Koranappara, accompanied by several locals who knew the terrain well. One of the rescuers, Sanij of the Nadapuram station, explained that the youths had shared their live location using their mobile phones, which proved crucial in narrowing down the search area. Within roughly an hour, the search team was able to locate Adidev and Kamal, who were still on the hillside but had wandered away from the main track. “The terrain is steep and the area falls under forest department limits, though it is not known for significant wildlife threats,” said Raveendran, a fire force official who was part of the operation. “The search was challenging at night, but the support of locals familiar with the terrain was crucial.” By around 11 pm, the rescuers had guided the two youths back down the hill, where they were handed over to the Thottilpalam police without any serious injuries.
Safety lessons for trekkers
The incident highlights several safety concerns that are particularly relevant to young adventure‑seekers in and around Kozhikode. First, trekking after dark on unfamiliar or poorly lit trails dramatically increases the risk of losing one’s way, especially when there is no clearly marked path or signage. The combination of steep slopes, limited visibility, and ever‑present mist in the hills can disorient even those who have made the same climb earlier in the day. Second, the case underscores how critical it is for trekking groups to carry working phones, preferably with shared‑location apps enabled, and to notify someone on the ground before heading up a hill. In this instance, the ability of Adidev and Kamal to share their live location allowed rescuers to reach them within a relatively short window, potentially avoiding a more prolonged and dangerous search. Third, the strong role of local residents in the rescue serves as a reminder that community knowledge of local terrain can be as valuable as formal emergency services. Villagers familiar with the Koranappara area and its lesser‑known paths were able to guide the fire force team, emphasising the importance of involving informed locals whenever possible in hill‑related emergencies.
Local authorities and community organisations could consider promoting simple guidelines: avoiding night treks unless absolutely necessary, sticking to known routes, trekking in larger, well‑supervised groups, and carrying essentials like torches, water, and fully charged phones. In the medium term, installing basic signage or even periodic awareness campaigns at popular trekking spots could help reduce the chances of such incidents recurring.
The rescue of Adidev and Kamal, though ending on a positive note, stands as a timely reminder that nature, no matter how familiar it may seem, demands respect, preparation, and caution—at night even more than during the day.
Read more at: https://www.onmanorama.com/news/kerala/2026/04/26/fire-force-locals-rescue-youths-lost-hill-trek-kozhikode.html