Carinthia mountain rescue callouts rise by more than a third

Mountain rescue teams in Carinthia recorded more than a third more callouts from January to July than during the same period last year, ORF reported. In May, rescuers were deployed almost every day as more people headed into the mountains, often underestimating their abilities or carrying unsuitable equipment.

When rescuers are alerted, many must leave their workplaces, making it difficult to assemble enough personnel. Teams from Ferlach recently responded to three incidents in one day in the Tscheppaschlucht, a gorge near Ferlach. Helicopter rescues are barely possible there, so rescuers have to reach people on foot with heavy equipment.

Heat has increased the number of visitors to the gorge, said operations leader Emanuel Koschat. “People are looking for somewhere cool, so the gorge is well frequented and the risk is correspondingly high. That is also why we are called out several times a day.”

Rescuers say visitors frequently underestimate the dangers, both in the gorge and in the mountains. The route is an alpine path rather than a flat, paved surface, Koschat said, with stones and roots underfoot. It can become slippery after a sudden change in weather or a thunderstorm during the night. Some visitors arrive in lightweight sports shoes, running shoes or sandals, which are not always suitable for the terrain.

Rescuers also criticised inadequate planning. Some hikers select routes online that they cannot manage and appear to rely on rescue services if something goes wrong. “The apps and planning tools make it relatively easy,” Koschat said. “Nobody takes the time to plan a proper tour anymore. They just set off.”

Hannes Gütler, head of Carinthia’s mountain rescue service, confirmed the criticism during an appearance on ORF’s Kärnten heute programme. He said both tourists and local hikers often paid too little attention to planning.

Rising callout numbers are creating staffing challenges, said rescuer Christina Wutte. Many rescuers work during the week, and several emergencies can occur at once, leaving teams short of personnel. The rescuers nevertheless volunteer to help people in danger and are asking recreational athletes for more caution and understanding.