Giewont lightning tragedy: Remembering the 2019 Tatra Mountains disaster

The 2019 lightning tragedy on Giewont in the Tatra Mountains remains one of the most significant mountain disasters in history. On August 22, 2019, a sudden and violent storm struck the summit area, specifically targeting the metal cross and chain-equipped trails.

The event resulted in four deaths on the Polish side and a fifth fatality on the Slovakian side of the Tatras. More than 120 to 150 people were injured during the mass casualty incident, prompting the largest rescue operation in the history of the Tatra Volunteer Search and Rescue (TOPR).

Dr. Sylweriusz Kosiński, a physician and TOPR member who helped manage the emergency from Zakopane, noted that the scale of injuries was unique globally. The data gathered from this event has since contributed to significant scientific research regarding the effects of lightning strikes, with findings published in the journal ‘Communications Medicine’.