Austrian police have launched investigations into a 21-year-old German suspect of endangering public security after allegedly leaving him abandoned on Mount Zugspze his 17-year-old friend, at temperatures that had dropped several degrees below zero.
The minor was forced to seek help over the phone from emergency services. It was found at an altitude of about 2,500m, in hypothermia, and was transported to the hospital in Garmisch-Pertenkirchen, in Germany. After receiving medical treatment, she was released from the hospital.
Zugspze is the highest mountain in Germany, at an altitude of 2,962 feet [2,962 m].
According to reports, the two young men had set off in the early hours of Sunday from the Ehrwald resort in Austrian Tirolin, with a view to seeing the sunrise from the top of the mountain.
However, difficult weather conditions made it difficult for them to climb. The temperatures had dropped to – 12 degrees Fahrenheit [112 ° C], while some parts of the mountain were up to their knees. Because of the weather, they changed their plan to reach the top.
At a moment along the way, the two young men separated, while 21-year-old continued his only descent. The circumstances and reason for their separation have not yet become known.
A police spokesman has refused to comment on the case, referring to the ongoing investigations.
Seven mountain rescuers participated in the rescue operation. Finally, 17-year-old was evacuated from the mountain by helicopter and then taken to hospital by ambulance.
In Austria, up to three months in prison for endangering physical security
According to Austrian legislation, those who risk another person’s physical security could be sentenced to up to three months in prison.
After the investigation ended, police will forward the Prosecutor’s Report to Innsbruck, which will assess whether the elements of a criminal offence have been met in this case.
The event has brought back to attention a tragic case in January 2025 at Mount Grosglockner, Austria’s highest peak. In that case, a 33-year-old man lost his life from freezing after her partner left her on the mountain.
The man was found guilty of murder by severe carelessness. During the trial, he claimed he had left for help and expressed regret over the death of his partner.
The prosecution had argued that the man, like the couple’s most experienced climber, had the responsibility to direct the climb and that he had not returned on time or had not sought help at the right time.
While in the last case in Zugspze, 17-year-old managed to be rescued. However, the responsibility of the 21-year-old and the circumstances in which he left the mountain still remain under investigation.
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Source Layer: Signal