|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Three Israeli men in their 20s were successfully rescued from a mountainous ski resort in Japan after being stranded in sub-zero temperatures for approximately 24 hours, the Israeli Foreign Ministry confirmed.
The rescue operation took place near the Hakuba ski resort, located in central Japan, and was coordinated by Israeli officials in collaboration with local authorities.
The men, who had been stranded in freezing conditions, were reportedly “freezing cold” and facing the possibility of running out of phone battery, making it difficult for them to maintain contact with authorities.
The trio had been on a snowboarding excursion in the Hakuba region when they found themselves stuck on a mountain due to adverse weather conditions.
According to the Foreign Ministry, the weather conditions in the area had made traditional rescue operations challenging.
The harsh environment, coupled with the men’s diminishing battery life, prompted the authorities to consider a military helicopter as the only viable method of rescue.
Ambassador Gilad Cohen of Israel worked closely with senior Japanese government officials and police to organize the necessary resources for the rescue.
The efforts were amplified by the prompt response of local emergency services, who were prepared to assist in the evacuation of the stranded individuals.
Israeli Consul Avinoam Mizrahi, who had arrived at the scene during the ongoing rescue operation, was filmed alongside the three snowboarders after they were brought to safety.
In the footage, the men can be seen visibly relieved and grateful, now safe from the extreme cold that had put their lives in jeopardy.
While the Foreign Ministry did not provide specific details about the exact method of rescue, it was confirmed that the men were airlifted by helicopter.
The operation lasted several hours, but the men were successfully rescued and transported to safety without major injury.
The rescue operation highlights the dangers posed by extreme weather conditions in mountainous regions, especially in the winter months.
The area around Hakuba is a popular destination for tourists and snowboarders, but its high-altitude terrain and frequent snowstorms pose risks for those unfamiliar with the environment.
The men, who have been in good health following the rescue, are expected to return to Israel in the coming days.
The Foreign Ministry praised the swift and efficient response of the Japanese authorities and reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety of Israeli nationals abroad.
The incident serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by travelers in harsh conditions and the importance of having proper equipment and communication tools when venturing into remote or extreme environments.