One Hiker Dies After Two From Hong Kong Stranded on Japan Peak

One of two hikers from Hong Kong died after the pair became stranded on Mount Okuhotaka, Japan's third-highest peak, as severe weather disrupted rescue efforts. m. local time. Rescue teams reached them two days later and saved the older hiker while the 22-year-old was pronounced dead at the scene.

The 22-year-old, who lived in Tokyo, first contacted the Hotakadake Sanso mountain hut in Takayama, Gifu prefecture, to report they could not move because of worsening weather. The pair had been climbing the Gendarme, a steep 3,163-metre rocky ridge west of the Okuhotaka summit.

They ran out of food while stranded for hours in cold temperatures, fog, strong winds and rain. Initial rescue efforts on Monday were stopped by gale-force winds, heavy rain and poor visibility that grounded helicopters. A renewed operation on Tuesday saw police dispatch a four-member rescue team supported by a disaster prevention helicopter from Nagano prefecture.

m. and took him to a hospital for treatment. The 22-year-old had already lost consciousness by the time rescuers arrived. Pictures released on social media later showed the hikers in steep terrain surrounded by thick fog on the snowy mountain. One image depicted a hiker wearing proper gear including boots, a waterproof jacket, pants and a carabiner.

The death prompted mountaineering experts to warn against hiking in May when weather is highly unstable. Chung Kin-man told a Japanese radio programme that May is a transition period from spring to summer. He said peaks can see sudden weather changes that turn seemingly easy terrain extremely dangerous.

The Japan Meteorological Agency had warned earlier this week of severe weather including lightning, violent gusts and hail in eastern Japan along with risks of landslides and flooding. It said the severe weather began on Sunday as a low-pressure system moved northeast across the centre of the Sea of Japan.

In Hong Kong, authorities said they had contacted the Office of the Commissioner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Chinese consulate in Nagoya. Officers were deployed to assist the families. The Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Tokyo is coordinating with local authorities.

In 2014 at least 12 hikers died across Japan's Northern Alps in separate incidents during a long weekend of public holidays in May. Mountaineers often flock to the difficult peaks during the Golden Week holiday period.