Two German climbers rescued from Dachstein crevasse

Two German climbers were rescued after falling about 15 metres into a crevasse on the Hoher Dachstein mountain on Saturday evening, ORF reported. Strong winds and fog prevented a helicopter rescue, and the operation lasted about 10 hours.

The accident happened at about 5.30pm as the men descended towards the Seethalerhütte mountain hut in the Gmunden district. They were roped together when one slipped and pulled the other down with him.

At about 6.30pm, one of the climbers called emergency services, but rescuers initially did not know which side of the extensive Dachstein glacier the men were on.

Mountain rescuers and Alpine police officers climbed on foot from the Dachstein cable car because strong winds and passing fog made an emergency medical helicopter flight impossible. They established contact with the men by shouting after about 90 minutes. The first rescuer reached them two hours after the alarm was raised.

The rescuers secured themselves to fixed points in the ice and descended about 15 metres into the crevasse on ropes. Both climbers were conscious and had suffered bone fractures.

The men were pulled out with ropes and prepared for transport. One of the seriously injured climbers was taken to hospital by a night-capable emergency medical helicopter. The two men were treated at different hospitals.

The rescue operation continued throughout the night. The last rescuers reached the mountain cable car station at about 5am, and the operation ended at about 6am. None of the rescuers was injured.