A married couple who spent five days stranded in the rugged mountains of northern Italy have been rescued after surviving on water from a nearby stream while waiting for help.
Hiker on path looking at mountain range through trees, Dolomites, Italy/By: JJ Landscapes/The Image Bank/Getty Images
Davide Cesaroni, 42, and Chiara Pesaresi, 38, disappeared while hiking in the Italian Dolomites, becoming disoriented in challenging terrain after losing the route they had planned to follow.
The couple, from Osimo in Italy’s Marche region, were eventually found in the remote Col Cadorin area between the provinces of Pordenone and Belluno following a large-scale search involving hundreds of rescuers, helicopters, firefighters, Italy’s Alpine Rescue Service and financial police teams.
According to reports by Sky News and Italian media, the pair’s phones last sent a signal near the town of Domegge on Thursday, 2 July, before losing power. The area is known for poor mobile reception, making it difficult to call for help even before the batteries died.
The alarm was only raised on Monday after the couple failed to arrive at work.
As they ventured deeper into the mountains, Cesaroni and Pesaresi realised they had become lost. Rather than continue through increasingly hazardous terrain, they decided to stop when they reached the ruins of an old mountain hut.
ALSO READ:
Lake Como hotspot cracks down on beachwear in village streets
Unable to find a safe route forward, they remained there and waited for rescuers.
A nearby stream proved crucial to their survival, providing fresh water throughout the ordeal while they waited to be found.
After several days of searching, rescue teams finally located the couple and airlifted them to a nearby rescue base before taking them for medical assessments. Reports indicate neither suffered serious injuries despite the lengthy ordeal.
Speaking to Italian broadcaster Rai after the rescue, Cesaroni said the pair were “absolutely exhausted but extremely relieved.”
He also credited the mountain stream with keeping them alive, saying it gave them both the water they needed to survive and the hope to keep going until rescuers arrived.
The incident serves as another reminder of how quickly conditions can change in mountainous environments and highlights the importance of careful route planning, carrying emergency supplies and ensuring someone knows your intended hiking itinerary before setting out.
SOURCE: People
Follow us on social media for more travel news, inspiration, and guides. You can also tag us to be featured.
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter | Spotify
ALSO READ:
VIDEO: Curious cheetah cubs bring Maasai Mara safari to a standstill
