On the morning of the 16th, three young men from Korla City, Xinjiang, went hiking in the mountains from behind a local market. When descending near the dam of the Tiemenguan Power Plant, they were trapped on a cliff for five hours. Thanks to an emergency rescue by the Korla City public security fire brigade, the three were finally safe after being trapped for several hours.
It is reported that after receiving the distress call, at around 3 p.m. on the 16th, firefighters from Korla City arrived at the scene and saw the three trapped individuals on a cliff about 800 meters above the ground. The firefighters immediately carried rescue equipment and began the difficult climb up the steep mountain wall, during which rocks as big as washbasins occasionally fell from the cliff face.
After nearly 40 minutes of climbing, the firefighters first reached one of the trapped individuals, who had turned pale from the cold. The rescuers put their own safety helmets and harnesses on the trapped person, then helped them slowly climb down the cliff to safety. The other two trapped men were farther from the rescuers and in even more dangerous positions.
By this time, the cold mountain wind was growing stronger, and the sun was gradually setting. To rescue them in time, two firefighters risked their safety to climb above the two trapped individuals, dropped a safety rope to their location, and instructed them on how to secure it around their waists. With another firefighter providing support from below, the two were guided to safety one after the other.
At exactly 6 p.m. that day, the last trapped individual was successfully rescued. During the rescue, after each person was brought down, on-site 120 emergency medical personnel urgently checked their physical condition.
A man surnamed Wang told reporters that all three were amateur hikers. They had set out from downtown Korla at 10 a.m. on the 16th, hoping to cross over to the Tiemenguan scenic area, 15 kilometers away, by noon. For that reason, they had worn leather shoes before leaving, without gloves or any necessary protective gear. This led to very slippery conditions during the descent, and with the strong mountain winds, they were exhausted and had no choice but to call for help.
It is understood that many outdoor hiking enthusiasts in Korla City, Xinjiang, enjoy outdoor activities that involve crossing mountains from the urban area and eventually reaching the Tiemenguan scenic area. However, this has also led to many accidents. In October 2011, three women and one man were trapped on a cliff while hiking. The Korla Fire Department reminds outdoor enthusiasts to always engage in safe outdoor activities under the guidance of those familiar with the terrain and to choose activities wisely, in order to avoid similar incidents.