An avalanche under Rysami kidnapped a tourist. Dramatic rescue operation in the Tatra Mountains
On Wednesday, in the morning, the tourist in the Tatra Mountains was kidnapped by an avalanche and fell several hundred meters with a steep gully. Thanks to the rapid rescue operation, TOPR managed to save his life. The victim in a serious state was hospitalized.
The event took place in one of the most dangerous regions of the Tatra Mountains – under Rysami. The Tatra Volunteer Emergency Service announced that the tourist was kidnapped by an avalanche and fell from a high height. Rescuers used a helicopter to get to the place as soon as possible – the man was evacuated to the hospital in Zakopane.
An avalanche under Rysami kidnapped a tourist. TOPR rescue operation
As many as 25 TOPR rescuers, as well as avalanche dogs and drones, participated in the rescue operation.
“The person kidnapped by an avalanche was transported by helicopter to the hospital in Zakopane,” said representatives of the emergency services. The conditions in the mountains were very difficult, and the reaction time determined the life of the victim.
Difficult conditions in the Tatras. The threat is still valid
Currently, the second degree of avalanche threat applies in the Tatras. Although this is not the highest level, the situation requires special caution from tourists.
The Tatra National Park warns: “Moving in the mountains currently requires the ability to assess the local avalanche threat, the right route selection and the preservation of elementary security measures on all steep slopes.”
Rescuers remind you that even a moderate degree of danger can lead to serious accidents. Flooding through an avalanche is one of the most dangerous events that a tourist can meet – every minute of being under snow reduces the chances of survival.
March and April full of dangerous incidents
In recent weeks, rescuers had their hands full. On March 14, 2025, an avalanche went down a beef under Rysami. Its length reached about 500 meters, and the width – 300.
The foot of the avalanche almost affected the black pond near Rysami. One of the tourists was covered, but he managed to make contact with him – he was conscious, he only suffered injured. He was saved thanks to the fast action of 22 rescuers and helicopter.
At the beginning of March, the avalanche also kidnapped two mountaineers in the Świnica region. One of them stayed under the snow for a few minutes before his companion managed to dig him out.
They both went by helicopter to the Zakopane hospital. On February 28 under Rysami, another tourist was kidnapped by an avalanche, but fortunately he reached the shelter himself. The services searched the area to make sure that no one else was buried.
