Both US and Israeli authorities are assisting in a continued search effort for Samuel Vengrinovich, 44, who went missing while hiking in India’s Dharamsala region on Friday.

The missing is an immigrant to Israel from the United States, who went missing after getting separated from his trekking group nearly a week ago. 

Vengrinovich got separated from his trekking group, who noted a meeting spot and waited for him for an hour with no return. 

Vengrinovich had left his belongings behind at his campsite, with intentions to come back, witnesses said. The last hiker who had seen him and subsequently filed a missing persons report said he was at the highest point on the Snow Line, wanting to move forward in rough terrain to see glaciers nearby.

"We are very worried, we fear for his life," says Lev Kogan, Samuel's cousin. "He simply disappeared in the snow. The weather is very harsh, and the conditions on the ground are also challenging, so we are worried that he is simply stuck at some point and waiting for rescue."

Map of the search effort for missing hiker, Samuel Vengrinovich. (credit: Courtesy)
Map of the search effort for missing hiker, Samuel Vengrinovich. (credit: Courtesy)
Kogan said that he disappeared into the snow in harsh conditions. Manuel Guzman Kizer, a friend of Vengrinovich and a volunteer with the Israel Police, told The Jerusalem Post that his friend was told that he did not have the right equipment for the conditions on his trek.  

The family, all residing in the United States, has launched a GoFundMe fundraiser to locate their loved one, so far raising $45,000.

"He didn't take out insurance during his stay in India, and that was a mistake. We're paying dearly for it now because the costs are very high. From the moment we found out on Friday that he wasn't answering, we realized that something might have happened because it's not typical of him,” Kogan said.

Samuel Vengrinovich, 44, was last seen on Friday after leaving for a hike with a Dutch national at one of his campsites. (credit: Courtesy)
Samuel Vengrinovich, 44, was last seen on Friday after leaving for a hike with a Dutch national at one of his campsites. (credit: Courtesy)
“I’m on very good terms with him, he's a man with a love of country and a zest for life.”

Interpol has been included in the search

In addition to Israeli and local authorities, Interpol has been included in the search.

Harel Search and Rescue, Israeli NGO Haverim Mehalzim, as well as an additional search and rescue team, have been deployed.

The US Embassy in New Delhi has also deployed two State Disaster Response Force groups.

An Israeli search and rescue team led by Magen is expected to arrive to the search area by 8 am on Friday morning.

“The thing that we need, on top of funds, is the assistance of a satellite company. Satellites are the only way to actually look into the past. If we can find high-resolution images from Friday or Saturday, that might be a game changer,” X, a friend of the missing, told The Post on Thursday.