One Dead and Two Injured Last Weekend at Insubong Peak
Series of Rock Climbing Accidents Raise Safety Concerns
Last weekend, there were a series of accidents at Insubong Peak in Bukhansan, where climbers fell while rock climbing, resulting in fatalities and injuries.
According to the police and fire authorities on June 2, at 12:18 p.m. the previous day, a man in his 50s, referred to as A, fell about 20 meters while rappelling down a rock face at Insubong Peak in Bukhansan, Goyang, Gyeonggi Province. Then, at around 1:10 p.m., another man in his 50s, referred to as B, also fell 50 meters while rappelling at a different location on Insubong Peak.
The fire authorities rescued A and B at 2:30 p.m. and transported them to the hospital by fire department helicopter. A suffered bleeding in the hip area, while B sustained a fracture to his left arm. It was reported that they belonged to different rock climbing clubs.
Previously, on May 31, a man in his 30s, referred to as C, also fell 30 meters while rock climbing at Insubong Peak at 4:00 p.m. and was ultimately pronounced dead. The relevant authorities are investigating the exact causes of the accidents.
Meanwhile, as hiking season arrives, mountains across the country are crowded with hikers. However, as more people visit the mountains without proper preparation, safety accidents are also increasing, highlighting the need for caution.
Hikers are advised to follow safety guidelines, such as refraining from drinking alcohol or leaving designated trails during hikes. In particular, extra caution is required at locations like Insubong Peak, which feature rock climbing courses. It is essential to check safety equipment and weather information before hiking. In the event of an accident, hikers should use the nearest mountain location sign number or the GPS app on their mobile phone to confirm their location and report the incident to 119.
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