Two Vietnamese climbers could have frozen to death if the Swiss rescue team had arrived late.

(Dan Tri Newspaper) - According to experts, without timely assistance, the two Vietnamese mountaineers might not have survived at an altitude of 3,500m under harsh weather conditions on the snow-capped Matterhorn.

At 7:00 AM on September 23rd (local time), the rescue team in Zermatt, a famous ski and mountaineering destination in the Swiss Alps, received an emergency call reporting that two Vietnamese mountaineers needed urgent assistance after encountering difficulties on the Matterhorn. The weather conditions were extremely harsh, with heavy snow and strong winds. Air Zermatt, an airline specializing in mountain helicopter services, quickly assessed the situation. Due to the adverse weather, rescue by air or land was impossible. Therefore, Air Zermatt dispatched three experienced specialists from its rescue station to the location of the distress.

If the Swiss rescue team had arrived late, the lives of the two Vietnamese climbers could have been endangered (Photo: Vertical).

Reportedly, two Vietnamese tourists were stranded in a very rugged area at an altitude of over 3,500 meters, suffering from severe hypothermia. They were not equipped with proper mountaineering gear, only wearing thin-soled athletic shoes. Snow and ice posed a major challenge, preventing aircraft from reaching the site, forcing experts to rappel down. The team then attempted to bring the two victims back to normal routes using a rope system. The journey lasted 14 hours, longer than expected. Finally, the group reached a safe shelter in Hörnli Hut. There, the rescue airline Air Zermatt had prepared a helicopter for evacuation. However, the weather was still unstable for the helicopter to take off. After many hours of waiting, they were safely disembarked.

Helicopters rescue people in distress on the mountaintop (Photo: News).

"Without timely assistance, the two Vietnamese climbers could have frozen to death in the harsh conditions at the snow-covered summit," a representative from Air Zermatt stated. According to the latest information, the two climbers were examined by doctors at a local hospital. Their health is now stable, and they have returned home. The Matterhorn is located on the border between Switzerland and Italy. At 4,478 meters high, the mountain is considered by Europeans to be a symbol of the Alps in general and a symbol of Switzerland in particular. Its distinctive feature is its three-pronged, angular shape when viewed from Zermatt in Switzerland.

The Matterhorn is considered one of the most challenging mountains to climb in Europe due to its complex terrain, steep slopes, and harsh weather conditions (Photo: Trip).

The mountain was first conquered by a British mountaineering group led by Edward Whymper. During the descent, one of the members fell and was injured. Since then, it has become one of the most challenging peaks to climb in Europe due to its almost vertical slopes. On a sunny, clear day, visitors can see both Mont Blanc and its snow-capped peak. This is considered a rare opportunity to admire two of the highest peaks in the Alps simultaneously. Mont Blanc, at 4,810 meters, remains the highest peak in the famous European mountain range.

Dantri.com.vn

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/du-lich/hai-nha-leo-nui-viet-nam-co-the-chet-cong-neu-doi-cuu-ho-thuy-si-toi-cham-20240925125818147.htm