Austrian Hiker Rescued from Monte Acuto in Night Operation by Italian Helicopter

A 58‑year‑old Austrian hiker went missing on the slopes of Monte Acuto near the Italy‑Austria border on the afternoon of 23 May. After the Austrian police were unable to re‑establish contact, they alerted the Italian Guardia di Finanza in Tarvisio, which activated the local Alpine rescue station and the regional air‑rescue service of Friuli‑Venezia Giulia.

Using a mobile‑phone signal coupled with an aerial overflight, rescuers pinpointed the hiker’s location. An Italian helicopter operating in night‑flight configuration winched the man to safety between 04:30 and 05:30 GMT on 24 May. He was brought to Tarvisio with mild hypothermia and minor contusions but otherwise in good health.

The operation highlights the cross‑border coordination between Austrian authorities and Italian rescue services, and coincided with ongoing night‑training exercises for the region’s H145 helicopter crew.