Solo Trip Turns Tragic: Andhra MS Student Missing in Alaska

A 24-year-old student from Guntur, Andhra Pradesh, has reportedly gone missing during a solo trip to Alaska in the United States. The student has been identified as Karasani Hari Krishna Reddy, who is pursuing an MS degree in Houston, Texas.

Hari began his vacation on December 22 and travelled alone to Alaska during the Christmas holidays. Since he does not know how to drive, he was relying entirely on public transport. He last spoke to his family and friends on December 30.

According to his friends in the US, Hari stayed at a hotel in Denali, Alaska. His mobile phone was last traced on December 31 in the same region. Records indicate that he checked out of Aurora Denali Lodge on December 31, after which there has been no contact. Later, his friends noticed credit card activity showing that he had used a local cab service, suggesting he continued travelling after leaving the hotel.

When Hari did not return by January 3 or 4 as expected, his roommates initially assumed he might be out of network due to Alaska’s difficult terrain. Their concern grew when they were unable to reach him for several consecutive days. The Alaska State Troopers confirmed that a missing person report was officially filed on January 3. Police believe he may have travelled toward the Fairbanks area, but his exact location remains unknown.

Friends have circulated missing person posters on social media, urging anyone with information to come forward. The situation is particularly alarming because temperatures in Alaska around December 31 and January 1 dropped to nearly minus 40 degrees Celsius. Most tourists avoid travelling during this period due to the extreme and life-threatening cold.

It is still unclear why Hari chose to visit Alaska at this time. Friends said he only mentioned that he was going on vacation and planned to return in about two weeks. Officials from the Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu Society stated that they have not yet received a formal request from his parents, but efforts are underway to coordinate with contacts in the United States.

While Alaska is renowned for its natural beauty, it also poses serious risks. US officials note that nearly 2,000 people go missing in Alaska every year, and in many cases, they are never found.