Two German brothers rescued after finding an Italian mountain hut closed

Two German brothers, aged 13 and 16, were rescued in Italy’s South Tyrol mountains after becoming stranded overnight.

They had started a hike with their parents near Dobbiaco, then continued toward the Bonner hut after their parents turned back.

The brothers planned to sleep there, but the hut had closed for the season more than a week earlier.

They reached it above 2,300 metres after climbing more than 1,000 metres, and had to spend the night outside in falling temperatures.

Their clothing was not suited to the cold, and both boys developed hypothermia; one also became sick and vomited.

Rescuers took them to hospital, and the brothers recovered and returned to their holiday accommodation.

Mountain rescuers called the incident highly imprudent, and said such cases are rare.