Polish rescuers evacuate stranded Ukrainian tourists in Tatra Mountains

Mountain rescuers in Poland have safely evacuated five tourists from Ukraine who became stranded overnight on the main ridge of the Tatra Mountains near the border with Slovakia.

The operation took place late on April 28 after the group was unable to continue their route near the Gladka Pass. Rescuers from the Tatra Volunteer Search and Rescue Service carried out the evacuation on foot, as darkness made helicopter assistance impossible, Caliber.Az reports per Polish media. 

The tourists were brought down safely and transported to the town of Zakopane in the early hours of April 29.

Rescuers said the group had been inadequately prepared for the route and had underestimated the difficulty of conditions in the high mountains.

The Tatra National Park warned that, despite warmer weather at lower elevations, snow and ice persist in higher areas. Conditions can be particularly hazardous, with hard, icy surfaces in the morning and unstable, melting snow later in the day, especially on sun-exposed slopes.

Rescue services stressed that hiking in the higher parts of the Tatras requires appropriate winter equipment, including crampons, an ice axe, and a helmet, as well as sufficient experience and careful planning.

By Sabina Mammadli