A seven-person hiking group was trekking on [Minghai Mountain] in Maolin District, Kaohsiung City, yesterday when they got lost due to darkness and heavy rain, unable to discern the trail. After receiving the report, the 119 emergency service launched an overnight mountain rescue and finally located the seven hikers today. Rescuers used ropes to help them climb down a steep ravine before safely bringing them down the mountain. Having gone without sleep for a whole night, the group was extremely exhausted upon descent.
The Kaohsiung City Fire Bureau received the distress call about the lost hikers last night and immediately dispatched the [Mountain Rescue Team] from the Liouguei, Maolin, Taoyuan, and Meinong fire stations to conduct the search. Since the seven hikers were not carrying a GPS and could not clearly describe their location, coupled with heavy rain and fog in the mountainous area, the rescue operation was quite challenging. Fortunately, there was a nearby cell tower ensuring mobile phone signal connectivity. Rescuers confirmed that the seven hikers were in stable health condition but had to temporarily stand down. At dawn this morning, search personnel conducted a pincer search from both the [forest trail] and the [ravine], eventually locating the seven male and female hikers. Due to the steepness of the ravine, rescuers used ropes and other rescue equipment to climb and navigate the stream, finally managing to bring all seven down safely. However, having spent a full day and night in the mountains, the group was utterly exhausted by the time they descended. (Photo: Provided by Kaohsiung City Fire Bureau)
(Broadcasting Corporation of China)