On Tuesday evening, an emergency call was made to local rescue services after three Belgian hikers found themselves stranded at an altitude of 3,750 meters on Dent d’Hérens. Their mountain guide had fallen about ten meters and was unable to return, leaving the hikers stuck at a high altitude. Despite several rescue attempts, the conditions were too challenging, forcing them to spend the night on the mountain.
Rescue teams were unable to reach them due to poor visibility caused by cloudy conditions. A rescue operation on foot was deemed too risky given the distance that needed to be covered. As a result, the rescue operation was postponed until the following day. The hikers were left to endure the night on the cold mountain, with temperatures dropping to minus 2 degrees.
On Wednesday morning, a helicopter was sent again to rescue the stranded hikers. However, initial attempts were unsuccessful due to poor visibility caused by foggy conditions. Finally, after a few more attempts, the rescuers were able to reach the hikers. The injured guide was taken to the hospital while the three Belgian hikers were reportedly in good condition.
The ordeal served as a lesson in the importance of being prepared for unexpected challenges while hiking in the mountains. It also highlighted how crucial it is for rescue teams to have accessibility and visibility during operations in order for them to be successful in saving lives.