Travel
October hiking safety alert issued as mountain accidents peak with autumn crowds
haps Magazine Korea
October 7, 2025
(Photo courtesy of haps Magazine Korea)
As October brings hikers to the mountains to enjoy vibrant autumn foliage, the Gyeongnam Province Fire Department has issued a safety advisory, warning that mountain accidents are at their highest this month.
An analysis of around 420,000 rescue and emergency operations conducted between January 2020 and August 2025 shows that mountain-related incidents occur most frequently in spring and fall, with October recording the greatest number.
The study also found that roughly 41% of accidents happen during descent, particularly between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., with the leading causes being getting lost (32.2%), injuries or slips (29.6%), and sudden illness (11.9%).
The Yeongnam Alps region (Yangsan and Miryang) saw the highest number of emergency dispatches, while Jirisan (Sancheong and Hamyang) recorded the longest rescue operation times, often requiring multiple firefighting teams and helicopters.
Fire officials urge hikers to choose trails suitable for their physical condition, take adequate rest, and stay hydrated.
Chief Lee Dong-won emphasized, “Hikers should travel in groups of at least two, be mindful of their stamina, and strictly follow safety guidelines. In case of an accident, use mountain location signs to report to 119 as quickly as possible.”
The department plans to use these findings to develop tailored safety measures and strengthen public awareness campaigns throughout the hiking season.