Climbing accident in Corsica: three dead and two seriously injured – TF1

The output turned to tragedy. Three tourists died and three others were seriously injured Wednesday in a climbing accident in Corsica. Furthermore relief concerned that many individuals are missing.

The accident occurred in the middle of the afternoon to more than 1,500 meters above sea level on one of the most difficult and dangerous places of the Camino de GR20 hiking.

The drama took place in the circus of Cascittoni I also called the Circus of Solitude, a highly technical canyon flank by mountains over 2,000 meters. It’s a landslide, a result of major storms that hit Wednesday on this massive that killed the victims.

According to the inhabitants of Asco, a neighboring town of the accident scene, a violent storm broke out early this afternoon, punctuated by violent gusts of wind and of rain showers and hail, including prohibiting any mountain trip.

According to these testimonies, the group whose origin is still not known was surprised by storm when it was already on the course of the GR20.

Very important emergency resources were quickly implemented, coordinated by a command post set up at Asco. Fifty rescuers including police the high mountain squad and firefighters, including climbing specialists were engaged in the relief operation and research. In addition, five helicopters and twenty land vehicles were deployed.

Frequent accidents

The bodies of three deceased must be transported in Corte (Haute-Corse) to rest in a chapel installed in the Chabrières barracks Response Unit of Civil Security (UISC).

A first injured, suffering from head trauma to the face, was transported by helicopter late afternoon at Bastia Hospital. This accident is one of the most serious with bereaved mountain Corsica , which has more than 110 peaks over 2,000 meters.

Every year, tourists lose their lives, especially because of the difficulty of the course and sudden weather changes. The Circus of Solitude where the accident occurred is a dreaded passage through the mountain. It crosses using ladders, chains and cables fixed on sometimes vertical walls.

Thousands of trekkers from around the world, often inexperienced, annually traverse the GR20 (200 km in two weeks) reputed to be one of the toughest in the world and frequent accidents theater .