Swiss Hiker Rescued After Cross‑Border Search in Alpine Tri‑Border

On the evening of 3 August 2026 a 67‑year‑old Swiss citizen called the police from the remote area around the tri‑border of Austria, Slovenia and Italy near Arnoldstein, Carinthia. He reported dehydration, loss of orientation and injuries after a fall, and his mobile phone could not be located.

A large rescue operation was launched by Austrian mountain rescue units from Villach and Hermagor, supported by the Austrian rescue dog brigade, the Samariterbund rescue dog team, the volunteer fire brigade of Arnoldstein and a police helicopter. Because the exact location might have been on Slovenian or Italian territory, the Slovenian mountain rescue service from Rateče and the Italian mountain rescue service from Tarvis were also mobilised.

Approximately two hours after the alert, the missing hiker was found at a farm/house, received first‑aid treatment from a rescue doctor and was then transferred by ambulance to LKH Villach for further care.