By Ahmed Abdelsalam
Austrian police are investigating a 21-year-old German man on suspicion of endangering public safety after his 17-year-old female companion was left stranded on the Zugspitze, Germany's highest mountain, in sub-zero temperatures.
Rescue operation
The teenager called emergency services and was rescued at an altitude of about 2,500 metres (8,200 ft) suffering from hypothermia. She was taken to a hospital in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany, and later discharged. Seven mountain rescuers and a helicopter were deployed for the airlift.
Circumstances of the climb
The pair began their ascent in the early hours of Sunday from the Ehrwald resort in the Austrian Tyrol, aiming to watch the sunrise from the 2,962-metre summit. Temperatures had dropped to -12°C, and the climbers soon found themselves knee-deep in snow. They separated at some point, and the 21-year-old descended alone. The reason for the split remains unclear, and police declined to comment citing the ongoing investigation.
Legal context and previous case
In Austria, endangering another person's physical safety carries a penalty of up to three months in prison. The incident echoes a fatal case on Austria's highest peak, the Grossglockner, in January 2025, where a 33-year-old woman froze to death after her boyfriend left her on the mountain. He was later convicted of grossly negligent manslaughter.
Investigation ongoing
Police said that once their investigation is complete, a report will be sent to Innsbruck public prosecutors, who will decide whether a criminal offence has been committed.
