Mexico City (IANS/EFE): An Indian American man reported missing earlier this week in the central Mexican state of Morelos has been found dead, an official in the town of Tepoztlan told Efe news agency.

The body of 25-year-old Hari Simran Singh Khalsa was discovered around 2 p.m. Friday in a wooded area of the rugged mountains that surround the town, the official Gabriel Rivera said, adding that the cause of death remains unknown.

Khalsa and his wife came to Tepoztlan the day after Christmas for a yoga retreat.

On Tuesday, Khalsa decided to take a hike in the nearby mountains. He sent his wife several photos and texts, including one in which he spoke of being “half lost”.

The search got under way as soon as authorities were notified Khalsa was missing, according to Rivera, who said the town even hired a private company equipped with helicopters and infrared cameras.

“In the early hours of Dec 31 the search had to be suspended for a few hours for questions of safety as a member of the rescue team had an accident and almost fell into a ravine,” Rivera said.

“The search resumed later with a brigade of 180 people from Morelos, Red Cross rescue workers from the Federal District (Mexico City) and two helicopters.”