Two people died and four were injured in a series of accidents which happened on Wednesday in the Tatra Mountains. An 11-year-old child was among the injured persons, said a duty rescuer from Tatra Volunteer Search and Rescue (TOPR).
The tragic accidents happened on the Granaty massif and in the area of Rysy peak. Four persons, including an 11-year-old child, were injured at the Szpiglasowa Pass (Szpiglasowa Przełęcz). According to TOPR duty rescuer Piotr Konopka, a search and rescue helicopter was being dispatched to the mountains since the morning. He added that most of the dangerous accidents were a result of slipping on layers of snow.
A TOPR duty rescuer added that the sunny weather had attracted many tourists on Wednesday.
Still plenty of snow in the mountains
Tatra Volunteer Search and Rescue cautions that in the higher parts of the Tatras there is still plenty of snow. In some parts the snow forms a hard and frosty layers, especially in the morning and in sunless areas, as well as at the culoirs on the northern side. In many places, tourist may also stumble against rocks protruding from the snow.
Moving around in such difficult conditions requires experience, understanding of the local avalanche risks, having proper equipment such as crampons, ice axes and helmets along with knowledge on how to use them. Above the altitude of 1,600 masl, the first degree avalanche alert is still in place.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, PAP
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: Shutterstock