# Mountain rescue operations in Europe

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/mountain-rescue-operations-in-europe
> Updated: 2026-10-25T07:59:13.000Z. Sources: 8. Developments: 2.

Recent mountain rescue operations in Austria and Bulgaria involved medical helicopter evacuations for hikers facing severe health emergencies.

In Austria, a 41-year-old mountaineer on the Grimming in Styria was airlifted via winch rescue after experiencing “severe, continuous muscle cramps across his entire body.” The operation involved the Liezen Alpine Police and mountain rescuers, with the individual being transported to a state hospital in Bad Aussee.

In Bulgaria, a hiker in the Stara Planina mountains near the Rai hut required evacuation due to a lung collapse, or pneumothorax. A medical helicopter transported the individual to a hospital in Plovdiv. Mountain rescue officials advised tourists to prepare according to their physical capabilities and equipment needs.

## Timeline

### 2026-10-25: Bulgaria: Medical helicopter rescues hiker with lung collapse

A medical helicopter evacuated a hiker suffering from a lung collapse near the Rai hut in Bulgaria's Stara Planina mountains to a hospital in Plovdiv.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bulgaria-medical-helicopter-rescues-hiker-with-lung-collapse

### 2026-10-18: Grimming mountain rescue: Mountaineer airlifted following medical emergency

A 41-year-old mountaineer was rescued by helicopter from the Grimming mountain in Styria after suffering severe body cramps during a climb.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/grimming-mountain-rescue-mountaineer-airlifted-following-medical-emergency

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Cite as: Mountain rescue operations in Europe. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/mountain-rescue-operations-in-europe