1 of 2 Hong Kong hikers rescued from Japan’s Northern Alps, search continues

One of the men was eventually rescued by a disaster prevention helicopter from neighbouring Nagano Prefecture and taken to hospital

Japanese authorities have rescued one of two Hong Kong hikers stranded on treacherous slopes in the country’s Northern Alps.

Gifu Prefecture police dispatched a four-member rescue team, comprising police officers and civilian experts, from the mountain base at dawn on Tuesday in an attempt to reach the duo on foot, according to local media.

A disaster prevention helicopter from neighbouring Nagano Prefecture eventually rescued one of the men before 10.30am local time, who was later transported to a hospital.

The other man has not yet been rescued, according to Japanese media.

The incident was first reported at 4.10pm on Sunday, when a 22-year-old Hong Kong resident living in Tokyo contacted the Hotakadake Sanso mountain hut in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture, saying that he and his 30-year-old hiking partner from Hong Kong were stranded due to deteriorating weather.

The duo were scaling the Gendarme, a notoriously rocky ridge sitting at an altitude of 3,163 metres (10,377 feet), according to local media.