1 of 2 Hong Kong hikers found dead on Japan’s Northern Alps after other rescued
Hiker, 22, found dead after companion, 30, rescued by disaster prevention helicopter from neighbouring Nagano prefecture
One of two Hong Kong hikers stranded on a treacherous slope in Japan’s Northern Alps has been found dead, hours after the other was rescued.
Gifu prefecture police dispatched a four-member rescue team, comprising police officers and civilian experts, from the mountain base at dawn on Tuesday in an attempt to reach the pair, aged 30 and 22, respectively, according to local media.
A disaster prevention helicopter from neighbouring Nagano prefecture eventually rescued the 30-year-old before 10.30am local time. He was sent to hospital for treatment.
Local police said his hiking partner, a 22-year-old Hong Kong man living in Tokyo, was later found dead shortly after 4pm local time, Japanese media reported.
The incident was first reported at 4.10pm on Sunday, when the 22-year-old contacted the Hotakadake Sanso mountain hut in Takayama, Gifu prefecture, saying they were both stranded due to deteriorating weather.
The duo were scaling the Gendarme, a notoriously rocky ridge sitting at an altitude of 3,163 metres (10,377 feet), according to local media.