Rescuers evacuate 36 hikers after group leaves alpine trail

Thirty-six hikers, including several young children travelling in pushchairs, were rescued from high-alpine terrain in Tyrol on Sunday afternoon, ORF reported. Fourteen people were winched to safety by helicopter from above 2,000 metres, while 22 were escorted down on foot by mountain rescuers.

The group comprised three families of adults, teenagers and young children from the United States, Belgium, the United Kingdom and Austria. They had set out from the Wildspitzbahn’s upper station, at 2,325 metres, and walked northeast.

The hikers repeatedly left the marked trail and entered difficult terrain. At about 5.15 p.m., they abandoned the hike after deciding that an exposed section was too dangerous and called emergency services.

Mountain rescuers from Sölden and two rescue helicopters took part in the operation. Nobody was injured.