14-hour rescue operation for two Vietnamese climbers trapped on the Matterhorn summit, over 3,500m high.

According to an announcement posted on the homepage of Air Zermatt, a Swiss airline specializing in mountain helicopter services, on September 24th (local time), the airline's rescue team successfully rescued two Vietnamese climbers who were stranded on the Matterhorn summit at an altitude of over 3,500 meters, facing a life-threatening situation.

Images of the Air Zermatt rescue operation. Photo: VNA

According to a report from the Vietnam News Agency (TTXVN), after receiving an urgent report on the morning of September 24th local time about two Vietnamese climbers in trouble on the Matterhorn, Air Zermatt quickly assessed the situation and deployed rescue plans. Due to extremely bad weather, air or land rescue was impossible, so Air Zermatt decided to send three experts from the Zermatt rescue station to climb the Matterhorn to the location where the climbers were in trouble. After traveling by Zermatt Bergbahnen's cable car system to Schwarzsee, the experts reached the location of the two Vietnamese climbers. At an altitude of over 3,500 meters, the rescue experts found the two climbers in distress. The report added that the two climbers were trapped in difficult terrain and suffering from severe hypothermia. Because aircraft could not reach the scene, experts had to rappel down to where the two climbers had fallen and then bring them back to the normal route using a rope system. The announcement also assessed that snow and ice made the rescue operation a huge challenge for the rescuers.

Air Zermatt rescue helicopter. Photo: VNA

After a long journey, the experts and the two climbers found shelter at Hörnli Hut. At the same time, Air Zermatt had prepared a helicopter to evacuate everyone from Hörnli Hut. Finally, after many hours of waiting, the crew was able to take off towards the Matterhorn summit, bringing both the climbers and rescuers to safety, ending the 14-hour rescue operation. Air Zermatt's assessment indicated that without timely assistance, the two Vietnamese climbers might not have survived the harsh conditions on the snow-covered mountain. After being examined by doctors, the two climbers returned home.

Mr. Hien (VNA)

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/van-de-quan-tam/14-gio-giai-cuu-hai-nha-leo-nui-viet-nam-mac-ket-tren-dinh-matterhorn-cao-hon-3500m-20240925041506570.htm