BRATISLAVA, August 31, (WEBNOVINY) — The highest mountain range in Slovakia, the High Tatras, claimed two more victims Tuesday morning. Two English-speaking tourists died on the slopes of the highest peak of the range, Gerlachovsky Stit (2,665 m), the director of the Mountain Rescue Service, Jozef Janiga informed SITA news agency. The couple set off on a hike to Gerlachovsky Stit on Monday morning at about 8:00. However, during their descent, they contacted the rescue service at 9 p.m. Bad weather and incorrect information about their position they gave the rescuers complicated their rescue. The rescuers were able to get to the tourists only on Tuesday morning. They found the two tourists in very bad condition and despite their efforts both died during the rescue operation. According to Mr. Janiga, the couple made a mistake setting on their hike too late and underestimating their fitness as well as conditions in the mountains, as the temperature dropped dramatically and it was snowing. The rescue operation was joined by 27 mountain rescuers; some of them were in constant deployment for 18 hours. The High Tatras are now experiencing a spell of cold weather and in some parts third degree of avalanche warning has been issued.
SITA
