Police helicopter evacuates 11 hikers after mudslide hits Valsertal parking area

Eleven hikers were evacuated by helicopter from the Valsertal valley in Tyrol on Friday evening after heavy rain triggered a mudslide that hit the Nockeralm parking area and their cars, ORF reported. Nobody was injured.

The hikers, mostly holidaymakers, had spent the day in the Kaserer Almen alpine pasture area. Despite the wet weather, they reached the parking area, where almost all of their vehicles had been caught by the mudslide.

The mud had also blocked a stream and the road ahead, making it impossible or too dangerous to continue on foot. The group called mountain rescue for help.

A police helicopter picked up the stranded hikers and brought them safely to the valley. It was not known whether the cars remained drivable. Their condition was expected to be assessed over the weekend.

An alert had already been raised from the area around midday. The material cableway used to supply nearby mountain huts may also have been affected.