Helicopter rescues surged by almost 80% compared with last year, with drones also deployed in bad weather. Poland’s Tatra Mountains saw a record number of rescue operations this summer, with 541 people requiring assistance and seven losing their lives. The number of people rescued by the Tatra Volunteer Search and Rescue service (TOPR) rose 32% compared with last summer, when 411 people required assistance, the service said on Friday. “These holidays were record-breaking in terms of the number of accidents and people rescued in the Tatras. Absolutely every record was broken when it comes to operations in the Tatras,” TOPR rescuer Grzegorz Kubicki told Polish state news agency PAP. The rise in fatalities was particularly stark. Seven fatal accidents were recorded this summer, compared with just one a year earlier. “The statistics are bad. Last year we had one fatality, while this year we had as many as seven, so this is a very, very large increase,” Kubicki said. The Tatras straddle the Polish-Slovak border and are the highest mountain range in Poland. They are also among the country’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting millions of visitors each year. Falls and illness keep rescuers busy Falls and stumbles were by far the most common reason for TOPR interventions, accounting for 224 cases. Another 171 involved sudden illnesses, including fainting, dehydration and other health problems. Kubicki said some cases could be linked to tourists heading into the mountains without sufficient fitness, preparation or water. “There have indeed been more cases of sudden illness. This is linked, among other things, to today’s sedentary working habits and lifestyles,” he said. “People suddenly head out onto a trail, perhaps inadequately prepared and not sufficiently fit for the trail.” Helicopter rescues surge The summer also saw a sharp increase in helicopter operations. TOPR rescued 156 people using a helicopter, compared with 87 last summer — an increase of almost 80%. The service said the rise in helicopter operations also pointed to more serious incidents higher in the Tatras. TOPR recorded 17 falls from height, 12 cases of people getting lost and 33 incidents linked to a lack of sufficient hiking skills. Drones were also deployed during rescue operations, particularly in bad weather.
The number of people rescued by TOPR rose 32% compared with last summer. (Facebook/Tatrzańskie Ochotnicze Pogotowie Ratunkowe - TOPR)
