"Unpredictable Summer Weather, Caution for Safety Accidents During Hiking"… 65 Deaths in June Hiking Accidents Over the Past 5 Years

Use Designated Hiking Trails, Wear Hats, Stay Hydrated, and Hike According to Your Fitness Level

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] The Ministry of the Interior and Safety has urged special caution to prevent safety accidents during mountain hiking in June, as the mountains become densely covered with foliage and daytime temperatures rise.

According to the Ministry on the 10th, a total of 34,671 mountain hiking accidents occurred over the past five years (2015?2019), resulting in 25,770 casualties (601 deaths, 285 missing, and 24,884 injured).

Among these, in June alone, there were 3,068 mountain hiking accidents causing 2,261 casualties (65 deaths, 17 missing, and 2,179 injured). The leading cause of accidents was slips and falls, accounting for 33.7% (11,690 out of 34,671 cases), followed by getting lost at 19.8% (6,855 cases), failure to follow safety rules at 17.0% (5,908 cases), and personal health issues at 11.1% (3,855 cases).

The Ministry emphasized that although the number of mountain hiking accidents in June is not higher than other months, the number of deaths is 65, second only to October (66 deaths, during peak autumn foliage), highlighting the need for extra caution during mountain hikes.

June is a period when the foliage thickens and the greenery deepens, making it easy to lose one’s way and get lost if hikers stray even slightly from their usual trails. Before hiking, it is important to check the weather and hiking routes in advance, and especially for those planning solo hikes due to COVID-19, it is essential to inform someone nearby of their destination before setting out.

Additionally, during periods like now when daytime temperatures rise significantly, although not as intense as midsummer heat, caution is needed to prevent heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke. Furthermore, during summer mountain hikes with severe weather changes such as heavy rain and heatwaves, it is important to adhere strictly to basic safety guidelines.

Ko Gwang-wan, Director of the Prevention and Safety Policy Division, said, “Recently, daytime temperatures have been rising close to 30°C. During outdoor activities such as hiking, it is important to stay hydrated and to descend immediately if you experience dizziness, headaches, or any other abnormal symptoms.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.