Two hikers were hospitalized in Zakopane after being struck by lightning near the summit of Giewont during a sudden, violent thunderstorm that hampered rescue operations today around 1:00 PM.
The Incident on Giewont Summit
A group of five tourists was descending the peak of Giewont when they were hit by a lightning strike. Two individuals sustained injuries, one of whom lost consciousness and required immediate evacuation by a TOPR rescue helicopter.
The second injured person suffered lighter wounds and was escorted by rescuers down to the Kondratowa Valley for transport to a hospital in Zakopane. Three other members of the group remained unharmed.
Difficult Conditions and Rescue Operations
Rescuers reported severe weather conditions in the Tatra mountains, including intense thunderstorms and gusty winds, which complicated the helicopter’s intervention. While only minor thunder was audible in the town of Zakopane, conditions at the peaks were significantly more hazardous.
Historical Context of Lightning Hazards
The summit of Giewont, marked by a prominent metal cross, is a frequent site for atmospheric discharges. In August 2019, the area saw one of the deadliest lightning-related tragedies in the Tatra mountains, when a strike on the cross resulted in four deaths and 157 injuries.
