World · Europe · 3 hrs ago
Rescuers save two boys left alone near a closed hut in South Tyrol
Two German brothers, aged 13 and 16, were rescued in South Tyrol after a mountain hike left them alone at night.
They had set out from Toblach with their parents, who turned back after several hours while the boys continued towards the Bonnerhütte.
The hut, more than 2,300 metres up, had been closed for the season since 11 October.
The brothers tried to spend the night outside in the cold, and one became so unwell that he vomited.
They called their parents around 1 a.m., and mountain rescuers took them to hospital with significant hypothermia.
The boys have since been discharged; reports said they had hiking boots but not suitable clothing for the conditions.
The rescue highlights the danger of continuing a high-altitude hike without checking hut access and conditions, and no further action was reported.
Rescuers in South Tyrol saved two German brothers, aged 13 and 16, after they were left alone near a closed mountain hut overnight.
Their parents had turned back during the hike, while the boys continued toward the Bonnerhütte.
The hut, more than 2,300 metres above sea level, had already closed for the season.
The boys spent time outside in cold conditions and became significantly hypothermic; one vomited.
They were taken to hospital and have since been discharged.
- Who
- Two German brothers, aged 13 and 16, were rescued by the mountain rescue service.
- What
- Rescuers found the boys hypothermic near the closed Bonnerhütte and took them to hospital.
- When
- The emergency call came at about 1 a.m. on a Saturday; the reports were published on 19 October 2026.
- Where
- Near the Bonnerhütte in South Tyrol, above 2,300 metres.
- Why
- Their parents turned back during the hike, and the boys continued to the hut, which was closed. The boys called for help after one became unwell in the cold.
Parents
Mountain rescue spokesperson
Responsibility
Parents
The parents reportedly considered their sons experienced enough to continue and had agreed to an overnight stay at the hut.
Mountain rescue spokesperson
A mountain rescue spokesperson described the situation as great recklessness.
Preparation
Parents
The parents apparently did not check whether the hut was open.
Mountain rescue spokesperson
The boys had hiking boots but reportedly lacked suitable clothing for the cold.
The family set out from Toblach, and the parents later turned back while the boys continued toward the Bonnerhütte.
The boys contacted their parents after reaching the closed hut and one of them became unwell; their parents called for help.
Rescuers took the boys to hospital, where they were treated and later discharged.
- Ages
- 13 and 16
- Location
- Bonnerhütte, South Tyrol
- Elevation
- More than 2,300 metres
- Emergency call
- About 1 a.m.
- Hut closure
- Closed for the season since 11 October
- Hospital
- San Candido (Innichen)
3 sources
What people are saying
Glücklicherweise kommt so etwas nur selten vor.