Hiker death toll hits 63 over three years

A rescue team carries a patient on a stretcher. / Coutesty of Seoul City

Sixty-three people have died while hiking around Seoul in the past three years, according to the Seoul Metropolitan Fire & Disaster Headquarters. More than a quarter died from losing their footing and falling, it said Friday.

The greatest number died from heart attacks or personal illnesses (30.2 percent), followed by losing their step and falling (26.9 percent), suicide attempts (17.5 percent), distress and rock climbing (each 1.6 percent).

The largest number were in the 51-60 age group (36.5 percent), followed by 61-70 (25.4 percent) and 41-50 (20.6 percent). Men accounted for 90.5 percent of the deaths.

Most deaths occurred at Mt. Bukhan (31.75 percent), Mt. Gwanak (19.05 percent), Mt. Surak (12.7 percent), Mt. Cheonggye and Mt. Dobong (each 11.1 percent).

Half the deaths (50.8 percent) occurred on weekends.

A total of 1,572 accidents happened in the mountains around Seoul last year, and for 1,309 cases, 911 came to the rescue. Losing footing and falling accounted for 46.1 percent of the accidents.

“Straying from trails while hiking can lead to accidents arising from losing one’s footing or falling,” the emergency service center said. “Citizens planning to go hiking for the spring need to keep safety in mind.”