Tragic Mid-Air Collision Clouds Upcoming Paragliding World Cup

A Belgian paraglider, Feyarets, tragically died after a mid-air collision in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district, just days before the Paragliding World Cup 2024 in Bir-Billing. Calls for enhanced safety measures in adventure sports, including installing crash site towers, have intensified following this incident and a recent similar fatality.

A tragic accident claimed the life of a Belgian paraglider, known as Feyarets, ahead of the anticipated Paragliding World Cup 2024 in Bir-Billing, Himachal Pradesh. On Tuesday, Feyarets collided mid-air with another paraglider, crashing into a forested area.

This incident is the second fatal accident in a short span after Polish paraglider Andrez died during a solo flight. Both incidents have renewed focus on safety measures in adventure sports, with experts suggesting the installation of tracking towers for more precise crash site detection.

Organizers expect 130 competitors from 50 countries to participate in the World Cup scheduled from November 2 to 9. Amid these preparations, the call for improved safety protocols has become more urgent, as the current GPS systems used by paragliders offer only vague location data within a 50-100 meter range.

(With inputs from agencies.)