Hikers Ordered To Pay For Mountain Rescue Operation

Two hikers have been given the shock of a bill for their rescue in a mountainous region in northern Spain after it emerged that they had broken lockdown rules as well as not having the right equipment.

The two hikers were rescued from the mountain refuge of Coma de Vaca in the municipality of Queralbs in the Pyrenees Mountain Range in the north-eastern Spanish region of Catalonia on March 15th last year.

The first COVID-19 lockdown came into effect the same day, which banned all outdoor activities.

According to the newspaper Actualidad, the rescue team also reported that the two tourists were not wearing appropriate gear and did not take necessary equipment.

The hikers will have to pay for the cost of their rescue, an amount of EUR 1,303.02 (GBP 1,152 ) each.

According to the newspaper 20 Minutos, a law was passed in 2009 that holds people accountable to pay for their own rescue when they have been found to be negligent.

The law is applicable when the rescue operation takes place in areas deemed dangerous or with prohibited access; if the rescued or rescued people do not have the appropriate equipment, or if the person requests the service without justified reasons.