India, April 14 -- A 26-year-old man from Bhiwandi died after plunging into a deep gorge while trekking at Irshalgad in Raigad district over the weekend.

The deceased, Akash Ramchandra Waghmode, a computer operator with a private firm, had set out on a solo trek early on April 11 in Khalapur taluka. He called his family around 10am to inform them that he had reached the top and would return by evening.

However, when Waghmode failed to return home and did not answer repeated calls, his family alerted the police.

A search operation was launched on Sunday by local police along with members of Help Foundation, a rescue group, villagers and a technical team. Officials said the rescue team faced difficulties due to the steep terrain and hars...