Stories from Nagano · Japan

A 30-year-old man died while climbing the Hied Mountains in the Japanese Alps on Sunday. His 22-year-old companion, a Hong Kong resident, was rescued by helicopter on Tuesday after the pair called for help during severe weather. The companion was reported to be conscious when airlifted to a hospital. The 30-year-old was reported to be conscious during the rescue, but the 22-year-old was pronounced dead shortly after being found. One of the men has been reported dead. A Hong Kong mountaineering expert stated that the incident occurred in the Japanese Alps.

Authorities in Nagano Prefecture deployed a disaster rescue helicopter to the foothills of Mount Asuka on Tuesday afternoon. Tseng Chi-cheng, an expert who previously summited Mount Everest, has visited the base of Mount Asuka.

Two men from Hong Kong have been reported missing in the Japanese Alps. Rescue efforts were hampered by the ongoing bad weather. They had reported their situation from an altitude of over 3,100 meters on May 3rd.