India, July 20 -- Thirteen people were rescued after getting lost in a dense forest while trekking from Irshalgad to Prabalmachi near Prabalgad in Raigad on Saturday evening. A four-hour rescue operation involving police, local guides and volunteers brought the group to safety without injuries.

The Panvel Taluka police launched the operation after receiving a distress call through the 112 emergency helpline around 6.30 pm. By then, the trekkers had strayed off the trail and were stranded amid dense forest, slippery slopes and deep valleys after darkness set in.

Senior police inspector Gajanan Ghadge immediately mobilised a rescue team comprising police personnel, local guides and volunteers from Nisarg Mitra Sanstha and Help Foundation....