By Berk Kutay Gokmen
ISTANBUL (AA) - A mountaineering accident in Taiwan’s eastern county of Hualien has killed one person while 16 people remain trapped in a cabin following heavy snowfall, Focus Taiwan reported Wednesday.
A man, 58, identified only as Lee, was found Monday with no vital signs after he reportedly went missing earlier in the day, according to the commander of the Hualien County Fire Department First Corps, Lin Wu-cheng.
The fire department asked for helicopter support to carry Lee’s body, but because of severe weather, the chopper was unable to fly as of Wednesday, Lin added.
Meanwhile, 16 mountaineers took refuge in a nearby cabin due to low temperatures and accumulated snow, they told officials, noting that they have enough food to last until Thursday.
Lin said the first rescue team was dispatched Monday, but progress has been delayed due to the snow and the mountain's steep slopes.
Peng Ti-hsuan, the captain of the rescue team, said the snow forced the team to retreat for safety reasons, and the fog is currently too thick to fly a rescue helicopter.
The chopper is expected to carry the 16 and the deceased Thursday. The 17 individuals had ascended the mountain Saturday.