On the 7th, reporters learned from the Xinjiang Bortala Mongol Autonomous Prefecture Fire Brigade of the Armed Police that on April 5, three tourists (two men and one woman) were hiking in the Tiemenguan Scenic Area in Korla City, Xinjiang. While climbing, they ascended nearly 100 meters up a steep cliff and became trapped on a ledge near the mountaintop, unable to move up or down. In a state of panic, they dialed 119 to request rescue.
Upon receiving the emergency call, the command center immediately dispatched 12 firefighters from the Tianshan Squadron of the Korla City Fire Brigade to the scene. After an hour of urgent rescue efforts, two of the trapped individuals were successfully brought down. One man, weakened by exhaustion and injured by falling rocks dislodged by the first two climbers, fell to a mid-mountain area and was seriously hurt. Thanks to the firefighters’ efforts, the injured person was taken to the hospital for emergency treatment. He is now out of life-threatening danger.
It is reported that the trapped tourists, Zhang (male) and Zhou (female), recklessly climbed up a hundred-meter-high cliff while hiking and became stuck, unable to move. In a panic, they called their friends, telling them they were trapped on the mountain and urging them to call 119 for help. Upon hearing that his sister was trapped, Zhou’s brother hurried up the mountain to rescue her, only to become trapped himself on the dangerous cliff edge.
Reporters learned that the section of the Tiemenguan Scenic Area in Korla City where the three were trapped features mountain peaks with altitudes of over 500 meters. Fitness enthusiasts often climb up via a hiking trail to enjoy the view. On the day of the incident, the location where the tourists were trapped was extremely steep, with slopes almost at a right angle, making climbing very difficult. Loose rocks kept falling from the cliff face as they moved. After arriving at the scene, firefighters assessed the situation and ordered nine of their team members to carry ropes, fall protection gear, and multi-functional stretchers. They climbed up the side to the mountaintop and set up a “rope of life” to carry out the daring rescue. Officials from the fire brigade reminded the public and tourists that when visiting scenic areas or unfamiliar places, hiking, sightseeing, or climbing, it is essential to choose proper routes and guides, avoid cliffside areas at all costs, and never attempt to climb mountains blindly.