Two Hikers Rescued by Helicopter in Italian Mountains

Two hikers who became stranded in the mountains near Re, in the Valle Vigezzo area of northern Italy, were rescued by firefighters using a helicopter.

According to reports, the pair had entered the woods to forage for mushrooms during rainy conditions. Mushroom hunting is a common autumn pastime in many Italian regions, but it can become hazardous in poor weather, when paths grow slippery and visibility drops.

At some point during their outing, the two hikers found themselves unable to continue or return safely, becoming trapped in the forest. Local emergency services were alerted to the situation and dispatched a response team.

Firefighters carried out the rescue operation using a helicopter known as 'Drago', a name commonly used for Italian firefighting aircraft. The use of aerial support is often necessary in cases like this, as mountainous and wooded terrain can make ground access slow or impossible, particularly in bad weather.

The helicopter allowed rescuers to reach the stranded pair quickly and lift them from the remote location without requiring a lengthy on-foot approach through difficult terrain.

Both hikers were successfully recovered and brought to safety, according to the available reports. No additional details have been released regarding their physical condition, though the operation is described as having concluded without further complications.

Incidents involving stranded hikers or foragers are relatively frequent in Italy's mountain regions, especially during autumn, when many people venture into forests to collect mushrooms and other seasonal produce. Italian firefighters, who routinely respond to such emergencies, maintain dedicated helicopter units for exactly this kind of mountain and wilderness rescue work.

While the specific causes of the hikers' difficulty were not detailed in the original report, weather conditions and challenging terrain appear to have played a role in the episode, underlining the risks associated with outdoor activities in mountainous areas during unstable weather.