Slovenia ramps up safety measures as heat wave and mountain accidents surge

Slovenian motorway operator DARS is distributing water and safety leaflets at selected highway rest areas on the Gorenjska, Štajerska and Primorska motorways, and reminding drivers to create a rescue lane during heavy traffic. The agency warned of intense traffic jams as German school holidays begin and temperatures soar, with red heat alerts issued for the coastal and central regions and orange alerts elsewhere.

At the same time, the Mountain Rescue Service of Slovenia reported a sharp rise in rescue operations this summer. In the first quarter of 2026, 159 incidents were handled, up from 118 in the same period last year. Recent accidents include a 63‑year‑old hiker who slipped on Vitranc, two alpinists injured on the northern wall of Triglav, and a 70‑year‑old German hiker who fell 30 metres from a steep ridge and died despite rapid helicopter assistance.