The highest mountain range in Slovakia, the High Tatras, claimed two more victims on Tuesday, August 31. Two English-speaking tourists died on the slopes of the highest peak of the range, Gerlachovský Štít (2,665 m), Mountain Rescue Service chief Jozef Janiga told the SITA newswire.

The couple set off on a hike to Gerlachovský Štít on Monday morning at about 8:00. However, during their descent, at 21:00, they contacted the rescue service. Bad weather and incorrect information they gave rescuers about their position complicated the attempted rescue.

Rescue workers were able to get to the tourists only on Tuesday morning. They found the two in very bad condition and both died during the recovery operation. According to Janiga, the couple made a mistake setting out on their hike too late and underestimating their fitness as well as conditions in the mountains, where temperatures dropped dramatically and it began snowing. The rescue operation was joined by 27 mountain rescue workers, some of whom were in constant deployment for 18 hours. The High Tatras are now experiencing a spell of cold weather, and in some places a third-degree avalanche warning has been issued.

Source: SITA

Compiled by Zuzana Vilikovská from press reports
The Slovak Spectator cannot vouch for the accuracy of the information presented in its Flash News postings.