Accumulation of climbing accidents this year

A striking number of climbing accidents have occurred in Saxon Switzerland this year. According to the German Red Cross (DRK), of the 83 mountain rescue missions in this region so far, the helpers have been called out 25 times due to climbing accidents. "Compared to previous years, this is an above-average number," it said. Fatal accidents were also among them.

Trend or outlier?

It is still unclear whether the increase is a trend or an outlier. What is certain, however, is that climbing has increased in popularity. And the more people go climbing, the more accidents occur. In addition, some people overestimate their abilities, said a DRK spokesperson. Anyone who can cope in the bouldering hall is far from being able to climb safely in the mountains.

Facility-wide 591 missions in the first half of the year

This means that the mountain rescue service was called out to 591 missions across Saxony in the first half of 2025. In the long term, the number of operations is consistently high with a slight upward trend. In addition to Saxon Switzerland, the helpers also attend to accident victims or missing persons in the Zittau Mountains, the Eastern Ore Mountains, the western Ore Mountains and the Vogtland region.

Danger of tobogganing in winter is underestimated

In the Ore Mountains, the helpers are particularly in demand during the winter months - when they act as ski patrols. In addition to serious falls by skiers, there is another issue that worries them: tobogganing. "Unfortunately, the potential for tobogganing accidents is often underestimated," they said. In addition, children are often involved in tobogganing accidents.

A lack of equipment is less of an issue in winter, according to the DRK mountain rescue service. However, some visitors lack suitable winter clothing. "Jeans are not suitable for cross-country or downhill skiing."

October is peak season in Saxon Switzerland

The busiest month of the year is still to come in Saxon Switzerland. According to the mountain rescue service, it is traditionally October. In addition to accidents while climbing, it is accidents and missteps while hiking that call the helpers to the scene most often. In the Zittau Mountains this year, for example, an elderly couple who had lost their way had to be searched for.

Respect for the mountains needed

It is not uncommon for accidents to be caused by carelessness. "Tourists who don't come from Saxony in particular underestimate the low mountain ranges here. However, this does not mean that Saxon nature lovers are free from overestimation."

The mountain rescue service estimates that two thirds of interventions could be avoided if visitors were less careless. "Many situations could be avoided if people were properly prepared for hiking. A mentality in which people are unfamiliar with the terrain and do not approach hiking slowly is increasingly leading to accidents," they said.

Mountain rescue volunteers

All members of the DRK Mountain Rescue Service in Saxony work on a voluntary basis. They are involved in the rescue service and are responsible for rescuing and treating mountain climbers, hikers, cyclists and skiers in rough terrain.

There are currently 386 active rescue workers in 19 mountain rescue teams. They must not only be above-average fit and mentally resilient, but also have completed extensive mountain rescue training.