A perilous unauthorized mountain crossing expedition has culminated in tragedy, with two fatalities confirmed among a group of five individuals who circumvented safety protocols on Shaanxi province’s Aoshan Mountain. Local authorities in Taibai county reported the devastating outcome on Tuesday, following an intensive multi-day search and rescue operation.
The ill-fated journey commenced in the early hours of January 2nd, when the hikers deliberately evaded the established climbing monitoring outpost at approximately 2:00 AM. The situation turned critical on January 3rd when police received an emergency alert regarding the group’s loss of contact during their unauthorized traverse. According to official reports, one member managed to descend the mountain independently that morning while the remaining four continued missing.
Taibai county immediately activated its emergency response protocol, deploying a coordinated rescue mission comprising four professional rescue teams alongside local residents. The operation achieved its first success on January 4th with the safe recovery of one individual found in satisfactory physical condition.
As the search intensified, authorities escalated the operation on January 5th at 4:30 AM, deploying helicopter assets to access the mountain’s treacherous terrain. Later that afternoon, rescue teams located the remaining two individuals, both deceased. Preliminary investigations indicate one victim had suffered a fatal fall from a cliff face.
Aoshan Mountain presents formidable challenges even for experienced mountaineers, featuring hazardous topography, rapidly changing weather patterns, and protected natural zones. Local authorities have reiterated that unauthorized crossings remain strictly prohibited, emphasizing the extreme dangers posed by such reckless endeavors. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the critical importance of adhering to mountain safety regulations and monitoring systems designed to protect visitors.