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36 amateur hikers, including nine Brits and babies in prams, are rescued by chopper in Alps after getting stuck 2,300m up, 18 inches from sheer drop
Thirty-six inexperienced hikers, including nine Britons and babies in prams, were reportedly rescued by helicopter in the Alps after becoming stranded at an altitude of 2,300 metres. The incident highlights the risks of attempting exposed mountain routes without suitable experience, equipment or planning.
The group was said to have been only about 18 inches from a sheer drop when rescuers intervened. No information is provided here about injuries, the precise location, weather conditions or what led the group onto the route.
In short
- Thirty-six hikers were rescued by helicopter in the Alps.
- Nine Britons and babies in prams were reportedly among them.
- The group was stranded near a sheer drop.
Explained simply
The Alps are a mountain range stretching across several European countries, with routes that vary from well-marked paths to exposed terrain where a slip can be dangerous. At high altitude, conditions and the difficulty of a route can make a walk much riskier than it appears.
People with little mountain experience may not have the skills or equipment needed for demanding routes, and prams are generally unsuitable for rough, steep paths. Hikers are advised to check a route’s difficulty, weather and equipment needs before setting out, and to choose a route that matches the group’s abilities.