VIJAYAWADA: A 24-year-old student from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, has reportedly gone missing in Alaska while on a solo winter vacation. Karasani Hari Krishna Reddy, who is pursuing an MS degree in Houston, Texas, began his trip on December 22 and last contacted friends and family on December 30.
According to friends, Hari was staying at a hotel in Denali, Alaska, and his mobile phone was last traced there on December 31. After losing contact, his friends, with the support of local police, shared missing person notices across social media, urging anyone with information to come forward.
Temperatures in Alaska during December 31–January 1 dropped to around minus 40°C, making travel particularly dangerous. Friends said they were unaware of the purpose of Hari’s visit, as he had only mentioned that he was taking a two-week vacation. He did not drive and relied on public transport.
Before leaving Houston, Hari had informed his roommates that he would stay in Denali and return by January 3 or 4. Initially, they assumed poor network connectivity in mountainous areas explained the lack of contact. However, concern grew after they reviewed his credit card activity and found a transaction linked to a local cab service.
Alaska State Troopers said Hari was reported missing on January 3 and was last seen leaving Aurora Denali Lodge on December 31. Authorities believe he may have travelled towards the Fairbanks area.
Officials from the Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society said they have not received a formal request for assistance from the family but are in touch with their contacts in the US.
While Alaska attracts adventure tourists for its scenic landscapes and natural phenomena such as the Northern Lights, it is also considered high-risk, particularly in winter. US officials estimate that nearly 2,000 people go missing in Alaska each year, with many cases remaining unresolved.
