In the early hours of a rescue operation, staff from the Civil Guard, the Provincial Consortium of Firefighters in Alicante, and the Finestrat Local Police joined forces to save two hikers who became lost while descending from the summit of Puig Campana. The alarm came after a challenging trek that ended with disorientation and fatigue for the hikers as night fell.
The Civil Guard received the call at 10:30 p.m. on Sunday. One of the hikers managed to alert emergency services after his companion failed to respond, triggering a coordinated search. The situation was complicated by the darkness and the hikers’ dwindling battery power, which rendered their mobile phones unreliable for location updates. This added a layer of urgency to the mission as every minute counted and responders prepared for a possible overnight delay.
The situation grew more difficult when the woman in the party was unable to provide clear directions, hindering the initial attempts to pinpoint their exact location. Despite this, the team kept up the pace, moving toward the mountain access point to launch a systematic search. Rescue units formed a plan to cover the terrain and track the couple using the most effective routes available, while ensuring the safety of the personnel involved.
Positioned with drone
As dawn approached, the Drone Unit from the Finestrat Local Police detected two hikers veering off the marked path on a high-risk section of the trail. At 1:50 a.m., members of the Civil Guard’s Mountain Rescue Group located the pair at a point that was about 600 meters above their starting position. The two hikers, a 33-year-old man and a 26-year-old woman, were guided back toward safety on foot. They were checked to confirm they were unharmed and offered water to stay hydrated during the ascent back to the trailhead.
The successful rescue was the result of a joint operation that combined the expertise of the Mountain Rescue Group of the Ontinyent Civil Guard, the Special Height Rescue Group of the Alicante Provincial Firefighters Consortium, and the Drone Unit from the Finestrat Local Police. The coordinated effort ensured a swift, careful return to safety for the hikers while minimizing risk to rescuers and bystanders alike.
In situations like this, trained teams emphasize the importance of staying on marked routes and carrying essentials for night travel, including fully charged devices, a reliable light source, and adequate hydration. The Puig Campana area is known for its challenging terrain and rapidly changing conditions, which can catch even experienced hikers off guard when visibility drops and temperatures drop after sundown. Authorities remind outdoor enthusiasts to check weather and trail conditions before setting out and to inform someone about their planned route and expected return time. In the event of trouble, contacting emergency services early can greatly improve response times and outcomes.
Rescue teams continue to remind hikers that simple precautionary steps can make a critical difference during a night ascent or descent. The collaboration among local police, fire services, and federal rescue units serves as a model for effective response in rugged terrain. Citizens are encouraged to report lost or disoriented hikers promptly, as quick notification helps scale the response and allocate resources where they are most needed. The two rescued hikers were eventually released from the scene with no injuries beyond mild fatigue, and they were advised to rest and rehydrate before attempting any further trekking in the future. The operation highlighted the value of regional coordination in handling emergency mountain rescues with speed and care, ensuring that even in remote and difficult environments, help can reach those in need efficiently and safely.