Surat Teacher and Daughter Found Dead During Nepal Trek

The bodies of Surat-based teacher Jignesh Patel (52) and his daughter Priyanshi (17), missing since October 21 during a trekking expedition in Nepal, were recovered on Sunday near Maleripa Monastery in Manang district, Nepal.

According to Armed Police Force (APF) deputy spokesperson Shailendra Thapa, the bodies were found buried under snow about 100 metres above the monastery. Patel and his daughter had last contacted their family a day after beginning their ascent towards Annapurna-3 peak.

Patel, a resident of Kadod village in Bardoli taluka, left Surat on October 14 for the trek. After obtaining permits in Kathmandu, the duo started from Gyalsen Hotel at Disyang on October 20, informing staff they would return the same day after visiting the monastery — but never did.

When contact could not be established even by October 30, Patel’s wife Jagruti alerted local MP Prabhu Vasava, prompting coordination between Surat district authorities, the Gujarat State Emergency Operations Centre, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and the Indian Embassy in Nepal.

Aerial and ground searches using drones and trained personnel were launched. Eventually, a special mountain rescue team led by DSP Hira Bahadur GC located their bodies beneath a thick snow layer. Police suspect they may have ventured higher and were trapped by heavy snowfall.

Patel, an MA, BEd, was a respected teacher and tuition instructor, while Priyanshi, a Class 11 student, had accompanied her father on multiple treks since 2018.

“Authorities helped us immensely through the MEA,” said neighbour Amit Mistry, urging that both bodies be brought back to Surat soon.