Missing hiker survives 9 days in the Himalayas on bugs, broken arm, and no food
Family of Samuel Vengrinovich says it is a miracle he survived in the Himalayas after 9 days.
Samuel Vengrinovich, a 44-year-old American man, was last seen on June 6, 2025, while in the Himalayans, and was found 9 days later, according to his family, with apparently no major injuries apart from a broken arm.
His family, who launched a GoFundMe to aid the search, describes his survival as a "huge miracle," as despite having no access to food or water, Vengrinovich managed to survive by eating insects and following a river to safety.
How did Samuel survive without food and water for nine days?
Natasha Vengrinovich, Samuel's sister, said in a statement to The Jerusalem Post that after his brother was found alive, he had been immediately taken to a hospital for treatment; as Samuel had walked for more than a week with a broken arm with no food or water.
She also explained how her brother survived for so long on his own: “He ate insects along the way to survive and was following the river to get to Dharmasala village", Natasha stated.
Samuel Vengrinovich's family raises funds for the rescue
The Vengrinovich family created a GoFundMe to afford the expenses of looking for their son while on the other side of the world. ”These funds will go directly toward organizing search teams, hiring local trackers, covering travel expenses, and any other necessary resources to locate him as quickly as possible,” the father wrote on the description of the fundraising website.
However, after Samuel Vengrinovich was found and the news was announced on the website, they also stated that they still need financial support to cover Samuel's medical expenses and the "immediate costs of the rescue operation".
According to the message wrote, “The incredible teams who searched for Samuel, day and night, require payment now, regardless of the outcome." Until June 16, the GoFundMe has raised over $66,000 of its $100,000 goal.
