Navi Mumbai, July 20 -- Thirteen people, all employees of an IT company, were rescued after they lost their way 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, police said. The Panvel Taluka police launched the operation after receiving a distress call through the 112 emergency helpline around 6.30 pm. According to police, by the time they received the alert, the trekkers had strayed off the trail and were stranded amid dense forest, slippery slopes and deep valleys after darkness set in. Panvel Taluka senior police inspector Gajanan Ghadge immediately mobilised a rescue team comprising police personnel, local guides and volunteers from Nisarg Mitra Sanstha and Help Foundation and launched the search and rescue operation. Rescuers navigated thick forest cover, narrow trails and steep gorges before tracing the group after nearly four hours and escorting all 13 trekkers safely down the hill. Police said poor mobile connectivity hampered the group's efforts to seek help until one trekker managed to contact the emergency helpline. "None of the 13 trekkers had any formal trekking training. We appeal to citizens not to undertake treks, especially during the monsoon, without proper preparation, experienced guides and safety equipment," said Ghadge. "Such adventures can quickly turn life-threatening," According to the police, the swift response and action undertaken by rescue teams and the timely distress call by the group aided in preventing a tragedy....