Two hikers hospitalized after lightning strike in France's Pyrenees
Two hikers, aged 14 and 21, were hospitalized after being struck by lightning while trekking in the French Pyrenees, as severe thunderstorms swept across the Hautes-Pyrénées department.
The pair were part of a group of 15 hikers caught in rapidly deteriorating weather at an altitude of approximately 2,700 metres near the Hourquette d'Ossoue mountain pass.
Storm strikes hikers on the GR10 trail
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon along the renowned GR10 long-distance hiking route, which crosses the Pyrenees from the Atlantic coast to the Mediterranean.
According to rescue officials, the group was directly hit by a thunderstorm that developed over the mountain range at around 3:30 p.m. local time.
The hikers were reportedly travelling without the supervision of a professional mountain guide.
Mountain rescue operation launched
The High Mountain Gendarmerie Platoon (PGHM) based in Pierrefitte-Nestalas dispatched a rescue helicopter after weather conditions briefly improved, allowing crews to reach the affected area.
The operation took place between the Oulettes de Gaube Refuge and the Bayssellance Refuge, close to the Hourquette d'Ossoue pass.
The two injured hikers were initially transported to a hospital in Tarbes. The 14-year-old, who suffered a head injury, was later transferred to a medical facility in Pau for further treatment.
Authorities urge caution during mountain storms
At the time of the incident, the Hautes-Pyrénées department was under a yellow weather alert for thunderstorms.
Mountain rescue officials regularly warn that weather conditions in high-altitude areas can change rapidly, significantly increasing the risk of lightning strikes and other weather-related hazards.
The incident serves as another reminder of the importance of monitoring weather forecasts and adapting hiking plans when storms are expected in mountainous regions.
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