‘Only God Can Help’: Indian Mountaineer Sends Desperate SOS After Getting Trapped On US Peak

Last Updated:June 18, 2025, 23:31 IST

Khan, who is at Camp 5 on the mountain at an altitude of 17,000 feet, said he and his team are stuck in a severe storm with limited food and water

Indian mountaineer from Kerala, Shaikh Hasan Khan, has previously scaled several peaks across continents, including Mount Everest in 2022.

An Indian mountaineer from Kerala, Shaikh Hasan Khan, has sent a desperate SOS message after becoming stranded with his team on Denali Mountain in North America.

Khan, who is at Camp 5 on the mountain at an altitude of 17,000 feet, said he and his team are stuck in a severe storm with limited food and water.

In a message sent via satellite phone, Khan said: “Hi, this is Shaikh. I am on an expedition to Mount Denali, the highest peak of North America. We are stuck in a severe storm at 17,000 ft at Camp 5. Less food and water to survive. I am here on a mission to hold a banner to congratulate our armed forces for Operation Sindoor. Only God can help us."

Khan, an assistant section officer in the Kerala Finance Department, embarked on this mission to honor the Indian Army’s Operation Sindoor. He began his journey on June 4 from Chennai, reaching the US on June 6, and commenced his climb on June 10 after a video call with his parents. Accompanied by a fellow climber from Tamil Nadu, Khan has previously scaled several peaks across continents, including Mount Everest in 2022.

The alarming message has raised concern among Indian leaders as well. Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Kerala BJP state president, said on social media that he had alerted External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and the Indian Embassy in Washington to assist Khan and his team.

“I hv alerted @DrSJaishankar and his team. I am also tagging Indian Embassy in Washington DC @IndianEmbassyUS to please help Stay Safe," Chandrasekhar wrote on a post on X.

Similarly, Pathanamthitta MP Anto Antony wrote a letter to the External Affairs Minister seeking urgent help.

Antony said that Khan belongs to his parliamentary constituency and requested immediate intervention by Indian authorities in the US to ensure the mountaineer’s rescue. He noted the severe storm and shortage of food and water as critical issues.

“I request you to kindly give urgent direction to our mission in US to intervene in this matter and do all the possible assistance to help Khan," Antony said in his letter.

(With inputs from PTI)

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Kerala, India, India

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News india ‘Only God Can Help’: Indian Mountaineer Sends Desperate SOS After Getting Trapped On US Peak