A British hiker has been billed more than €14,000 (£12,000) by Italian mountain rescue services after he ignored danger warnings and ventured onto a closed path in the Dolomites. The 60-year-old man was rescued on Thursday after becoming distressed by falling rocks on the Ferrata Berti, a rocky path at 2,500 metres altitude near San Vito di Cadore.
Nicola Cherubin, chief of the local alpine rescue service, said the man bypassed barriers and ignored closure signs written in both English and Italian. He set off from Passo Tre Croci near Cortina d’Ampezzo and raised the alarm at about 3.30pm. Poor weather conditions forced the use of two helicopters and several staff for the rescue.
Cherubin noted that the man claimed he was unaware of the closure and had not seen the signs. The total bill of €14,225 includes €11,160 for the 93-minute helicopter operation. In contrast, two Belgian hikers rescued in similar conditions days earlier received a much smaller charge because Belgium is an EU member.
Giuseppe Dal Ben, commissioner of the Ulss 1 health authority in the Dolomites, urged tourists to approach the mountains with respect and caution. He warned that helicopters should not be used as taxis, endangering both rescuers and those who genuinely need assistance. Rockfalls have increased in the Dolomites recently due to extreme heat and climate change.
